Desk Accessories
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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1930s
Mid Century James Mont Ashtray
By James Mont
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Beautiful and unique ashtray attributed to James Mont, circa 1960s. Has a Mayan/Aztec theme design throughout.
Mostly in great shape with some light d...
Category
Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of Austrian Midcentury Brown Glazed Ceramic Bear Book Ends by Anzengruber
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming Bear ceramic bookends have been designed and manufactured by the Viennese midcentury artist Leopold Anzengruber. Born in 1912 he founded his own company Anzengruber Ker...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Cartographer's Set, English, Nickel, Architect, Draughtsman, circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage cartographer's set. An English, nickel architect's or draughtsman's case by Temple Instruments of Wolverhampton, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950.
Fascinating mid-20th century instrument case with quality tools
Displaying a desirable aged patina and in good order throughout
Brass finished nickel tools present well, with appealing light golden tones
Presented within a textured carry case with gold tooled Temple Debrett Precision mark
Comprising 13 pieces with accessory pointer and an extending beam
Pair of large compass dividers and three bow compass
The pair of ruling...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Nickel
Antique Vintage Kodak Wooden Trimming Board by Eastman
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique vintage kodak wooden trimming board by Eastman. The wooden cutting surface measures 6 inches tall by 5 inches wide by 3/4 inches tall. Some of the original writing can be seen on the surface of the board and the ruler on the top is visible. This board was used for trimming photographs. Beautiful and interesting piece for your use or library decor...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Anemometer 1950 Coal Mining Vintage Science Equipment in Brass and Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Mechanical desk anemometer in brass.
Very interesting scientific coal mining anemometer, made up back in the 1950's with brass and blackened steel parts...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
Vintage French Art Deco Style Sculpture of Brass Ibex Antelope
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage French Art Deco Style Sculpture of Brass Ibex Antelope.
Solid cast brass Ram decorative object or bookend, circa mid 20th century.
B...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Antique Century Traditional Sewing machine Vibrating, circa 1950
Located in Roma, IT
Antique sewing machine Vesta Handcrank vibrating shuttle
Serial Number: 2655227
Made in Germany
Ideal for sewing most materials such as denim, canvas, silk, calico and the like,
Could be used as was intended for sewing or recycled as a small office ornament...
Category
1950s European Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Hermes Paris 1960 Vintage Horse Motif Desk Magnifier Glass in Silver
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Desk magnifier glass designed by Hermes.
Fabulous and highly decorative piece, created in Paris, France by the house of Hermes, back in the 1960. ...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Silver Plate
Vintage Italian Alabaster Owl Paperweight
Located in Charleston, SC
A fantastic mid-century Italian marble paperweight with yellow glass eyes. Carved beautifully. Measures 3” x 3”. Circa 1960’s
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
David L. Deming Brass Abstract Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass abstract sculpture or paperweight by artist David L. Deming c.1969, USA. This weighty object has interlocking squares and rectangular shapes. It would be great as an office pap...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Vintage French Medieval Knight's Helmet in Brass
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage French Medieval Knight's Helmet in Brass is a marvelous recreation of a period artifact. Hand-crafted by an obviously skilled artisan who clear...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Nickel
20th Century Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener,
So beautiful, very nice condition!
Category
Mid-20th Century Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Cartier Paris 1950 Midcentury Bamboo Mechanical Pencil in 14kt Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Bamboo pencil designed by Cartier.
Very unusual and useful luxury piece, created in Paris France by the iconic house of Cartier, during the mid century period, back in the 1950's....
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold
Imhof Switzerland 1960 World Timer 8 Days Desk Clock in Bronze with 24h Scales
By Arthur Imhof
Located in Miami, FL
Desk world timer clock designed by Arthur Imhof.
Fabulous and highly attractive desk-table clock, created in Switzerland by the clocks makers house of Imhof, back in the 1960. Thi...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Bronze, Enamel
Brass desk set, Italy, 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
Brass desk set. Italian production from the 1940s. It belonged to my great grandfather.
Small signs of use.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Ben Seibel for Jenfred-Ware Bookends in Brass Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great modern design in this pair of bookends by Ben Seibel.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Midcentury Functional Tesla Phone 1960, Československo
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition.
- Fully functional.
- Tesla manufacturer.
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
Vintage Leather Wrapped Desktop Letter Organizer by C.P. Leathercraft
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage leather wrapped desktop letter organizer by C.P. Leathercraft, circa 1970s. The piece is in good vintage condition with some scratches ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Italian Murano Hand Blown Art Glass Paperweight with White Flowers Fratelli Toso
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Murano hand blown glass flower paperweight with original label.
Attributed to Fratelli Toso, not signed.
Italian Murano Art glass pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass
20th Century Fontana Arte Soliflore Vase Mod 2393 in Crystal, Nickeled Brass 50s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Turin, Turin
FontanaArte is an Italian company founded in Milan (as Fontana Arte) in 1932 by Luigi Fontana and Giò Ponti and specializing in glass processing and the production of furnishing accessories. It is known for working with curved crystal and producing lighting fixtures, becoming a prominent name in Italian design over the years.
Here we have a vertical "Soliflore" vase model 2393 in thick crystal and nickel-plated brass by Fontana Arte designed in 50s. This decorative object is a perfect idea for a gift (wedding, graduation, new born...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Green Cobra Table Phone, Ericofon by LM Ericsson
Located in Vienna, AT
Vintage Rotary dial green ericofone. This is the model Cobra. It is made of thermoplastic ABS
Designed in the 1950s in Sweden by Hugo Blomberg, Ralph...
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
White Owl Bird Porcelain Object Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A white porcelain owl bird, Mid-Century Modern period, by Royal Dux Bohemia, circa mid-20th century, Czechoslovakia. With makers' mark on underside as shown in last image. A great pi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Slat Magazine Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern walnut slat magazine holder, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 16.5" W x 7.75" D x 12.5" H. #3027.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Art Deco Uplight Brass Metal Table Lamp, French, 1930s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
A lovely example of Art Deco that shows great style and imagination is this French table lamp trumpet shape. Cream coloured on the inside and takes a normal bulb, you can use energy ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Ronson USA 1934 Art Deco Black Lacquered Rondette Desk Lighter in Stainless Stee
Located in Miami, FL
A stainless steel lighter designed by Ronson.
Very beautiful desk Rondette lighter, created in New Jersey United States by The Ronson Co. during the art deco period, back in the 1934. This is a very unusual lighter designed with wonderful geometric patterns and crafted in solid steel with a central round body set upon two smaller cylindrical feet. Embellished with black lacquer, creating a great contrast with the base polished steel. Extremely well made and solid construction with very nice care and attention to all details. This surely is a very decorative piece and a great conversation item in gorgeous and exceptional preserved condition.
Weight: 104.9 Grams, (67.24 Dwt).
Measurements: 66 mm by 21 mm by 82 mm (2.59 x 0.83 x 3.23 Inches).
Marks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed, "RONSON US PAT.RE.NO.19023 RONSON RONDETTE ART METAL WKS INC NEWARK NJ US PAT.RE.NO.19023".
The Ronson lighter company started as The Art Metal Works in 1897 and was incorporated on July 20, 1898, by Max Hecht, Louis Vincent Aronson and Leopold Herzig, in Newark, New Jersey. Louis V. Aronson was a huge creative driving force for the company; and, with a few business adjustments, including the addition of Alexander...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel
Art Deco Odeon Chrome Free Standing Picture Frame, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
Superbly stylish 1930s Art Deco chrome picture frame. A very desirable odeon/ skyscraper design and a great Size for modern day use. A photograph can be displayed both sides ( the ph...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Elegant Red Leather Desk Set by Le Tanneur, France, 1950s
By Le Tanneur
Located in Paris, FR
Midcentury French modern full leather desk set by Le Tanneur composed by:
Calendar L 18.5cm x L 11cm depth 5cm
Pencil case L 23cm x L 8cm depth 2....
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Cartier Paris 1935 Rare Art Deco Geometric Desk Clock in Black Onyx and Agate
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
A desk clock designed by Cartier.
A beautiful and sober desk clock, created in Paris France by the the house of Cartier during the late art deco period, back in the early 1935. This desk clock is very rare and has been designed with geometric art deco patterns and assembled from several polished pieces carved from natural black onyx and reddish translucent agate. All parts mounted in gilded bronze and sterling silver settings of .935/.999.
Movement: Swiss mechanical wingding Imhof movement, Caliber 244, Fifteen Jewels, 8 days, Serial 2449074. The dial is octagonal with a unique painted scene depicting an ancient Greek ship...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Agate, Onyx, Sterling Silver, Bronze
Brass Corkscrew from Auböck "Modern Key" Austria Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass Corkscrew from Auböck, "Modern Key", Austria Vienna, good original condition
Category
1950s Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Chinese Rosewood Table Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
This Chinese rosewood stand displays a brilliant red sheen. It's tabletop sized and can hoist anything into the limelight using a little elevati...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Desk Accessories
Materials
Rosewood
Murano Blue Red Gold Silver Flecks Italian Art Glass Fish Paperweight Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced per item (only 2 fish available as shown). Large and beautiful vintage Murano hand blown cobalt blue, red stripes, gold lips and silver flecks Italian art glass fish sculpture...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
Petite Jack / Jax Bookend Made in Solid Metal
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this sculptural Jack made in metal.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Midcentury Tommaso Barbi Burl and Chrome Square Picture Frame, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Astonishing midcentury chromed brass and burl square photo frame. This beautiful piece was designed in Italy in the 1970s by Tomaso Barbi and is als...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Vintage Faux Oak Paper Waste Basket from Ira, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare oval trash can for paper/desk litter. Its made from Tin-plate covered by a faux oak foil. Made by Ira in Denmark circa 1960. Measurements: H: 28.5 cm, W: 27.5, D: 19 cm.
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Fratelli Toso Murano Blue Purple Flowers Glass Italian Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown royal blue and white mini spots, with purple and white millefiori flower murrines Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Mid-Century Modern Fan by Femesa, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-Century Fan by Femesa.
Manufactured in Spain, circa 1960.
In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
Materials:
Me...
Category
1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Ronson 1940 Art Deco Machine Age Geometric Table Touch Tip Octette Lighter
Located in Miami, FL
A desk lighter designed by Ronson.
This Ronson Touch-Tip Octette table lighter was made between 1935 and 1951 by the Ronson Art Metal Works Inc. located in Newark, New Jersey in the United States. This lighter began a very successful era for Ronson Touch Tip series of lighters which pushed out the strike lighters...
Category
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome, Enamel, Steel
Imhof Swiss 1950 Zodiacal Modernist 8 Days Desk Clock in Gilded Bronze and Glass
By Arthur Imhof
Located in Miami, FL
Desk clock designed by Arthur Imhof.
Fabulous desk-table clock, created in Switzerland by the clocks makers house of Imhof, back in the 1950. This clock is very rare and has been ...
Category
1950s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian El De Uberti Silver Plate Pen Rack Stand
By De Uberti
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely Italian silverplated pen rack stand with a scrolling design and delicate flowers. Makers mark for El De Uberti Italy. It would be a fabulous addi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Italian Typewriter by Marcello Nizzoli for Olivetti, 1950s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Lettera 22 portable typewriter, of enameled metal and plastic, designed by Marcello Nizzoli and produced by the progressive manufacturer Olivetti in Italy, ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Inuit Walrus Tusk Pencil Holder and Letter Opener
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Inuit Walrus tusk carved pencil holder and 6" letter opener. Carved with images of a Walrus and Seals. Probably done for the tourist trade in the 1930s or...
Category
1940s American Native American Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Ivory
JAZ Paris 1930 Art Deco Geometric 8 Days Glass Desk Clock in Stainless Steel
By Jaz
Located in Miami, FL
A desk clock designed by Jaz Paris.
A beautiful and very handsome desk clock, created in Paris France by the the clock company of Jaz during the art deco period, back in the early 1930. This very decorative piece is very hard to find has been designed with geometric art deco patterns and assembled from an octagonal beveled cranberry glass and stainless steel steeped mountings. Deceptively weighty time piece showing the quality that one expects from this maker.
Movement: French mechanical wingding Jaz movement, Eleven Jewels, 8 days. The dial is round with metallic cranberry color, Arabic silver...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel
Strathearn Scotland Millefiori Flowers Red White Ribbons Art Glass Paperweight
By Strathearn
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Strathearn hand blown millefiori flowers, white ribbons, hand made in Scotland art glass paperweight. It has 2 added murrines, one ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Murrine, Sommerso, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Brazilian Mid-Century Jacaranda Paperclip Paperweight Sculpture, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Brazilan mid-century paperclip desk or table sculpture from the 1960s. Paperclip is functional.
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Gabriella Crespi Style Photo Frame in Lucite Tortoiseshell, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous photo frame in lucite with a stunning tortoiseshell effect. This elegant piece was produced in Italy in the 1970s and attributable to Gabriella Crespi.
This stunning piec...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite, Plexiglass
Desk Accessories, Letter Holder by Jacques Adnet and Letter Tray Paper Holder
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Handsome saddle leather letter holder by Jacques Adnet. Signature contrast stitching. Great patina to leather. Excellent vintage condition. Paris...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Razor Blade Brass Paperweight #5378, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A handmade paperweight in the shape of a razorblade, model 5378, originally designed by Carl Aubock in the 1950s. A very charming piece, reissued by Werkstätte Auböck in Vienna / Aus...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Pair of MCM Ram Bookends
Located in Jupiter, FL
Absolutely stunning pair of Bookends. The ram details are quite lovely. The color and weight is of solid mass and very well constructed and preserved.
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Handcrafted Mask Depicting the Comedy and Tragedy of Greek Theatre
Located in Roma, IT
A couple of vintage masks inspired by the Greek Roman theater.
They were made in solid brass and represent respectively the 2 most important theatrical genres: comedy and tragedy.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Greco Roman Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Imhof Switzerland 1960 World Timer 8 Days Desk Clock in Bronze and 24h Scales
By Arthur Imhof
Located in Miami, FL
Desk world timer clock designed by Arthur Imhof.
Fabulous and highly attractive desk-table clock, created in Switzerland by the clocks makers house of Imhof, back in the 1960. Thi...
Category
1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Murano Blue Multi-Color Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown blue over white, with flowers Italian art glass fish sculpture / paperweight. Attributed to designer Galliano Ferro, for the Fornasa De Murano A L...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine, Glass
Pair of Vintage Walnut Desk Trays by Peter Pepper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic pair of vintage walnut paper trays and desk organizers by Peter Pepper Products. One tray is large enough to be used for standard size pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Unique Vintage 1950s Black Marble Horse Head Bookends with Brass Plate
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Explore the elegance and timeless design of our extraordinary pair of vintage circa 1950s stone bookends. These unique bookends are meticulously crafted from the finest marble, ensuring their great condition and long-lasting beauty.
At the focal point of each bookend is a meticulously detailed horse-head design, expertly carved from premium black marble. These sculpted horse heads rest atop a rectangular brass plate, which has been newly cleaned and polished to a gleaming finish. The combination of the dark, rich marble and the golden hue of the brass creates a striking contrast that is sure to catch the eye.
The horse bookends are further enhanced by their rectangular marble base, adding an extra layer of sophistication and elegance. These vintage black marble horse...
Category
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Stone, Brass, Metal
Big Clam Shell Natural Specimen
Located in Marbella, ES
Big Clam Shell Natural Specimen.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Desk Accessories
Materials
Shell
Dansk Silverplate Elephant Figurine
By Gunnar Cyren, Dansk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage silver-plate elephant figurine/paperweight by Dansk.
Manufacturer: Dansk
Origin: Japan
Year: 1970s
Dimensions: 2.25" wide x 2.25" tall x 1.5" deep.
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
1930s Super Ercole by Ercole Marelli Italy Electric Fan 404
By Marelli
Located in Biella, IT
Super Ercole by Ercole Marelli Italy design years '50 electric fan 0-404 big size
Measure; high 21,4 inches and is in good vintage condition working to 150-160 volt
colour is...
Category
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Enzo Mari Letter and Pen Holder for Danese 1962, in Blue and Green
Located in Milan, IT
Early Enzo Mari Letter and Pen Holder for Danese 1962.
In the colors of Blue and Green.
Carries the Danese label.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
1940's Mouthblown Hungarian Storage Storage Jars, Large
Located in Hook, Hampshire
1940’s Mouthblown Hungarian storage storage jars – large
1940’s Mouthblown Hungarian storage Storage jars – large. Traditional handmade storage jars made in small workshops in Hungary these are beautiful vintage storage jars...
Category
1940s Hungarian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Antique, New and Vintage Desk Accessories
Whether you’ve carved out a space for a nifty home office or you prefer the morning commute, why not dress up your desk with antique and vintage desk accessories? To best tiptoe the line between desk efficiency and desk enjoyment, we suggest adding a touch of the past to your modern-day space.
Desks are a funny thing. Their basic premise has remained the same for quite literally centuries: a flat surface, oftentimes a drawer, and potentially a shelf or two. However, the contents that lay upon the desk? Well, the evolution has been drastic to say the least.
Thank the Victorians for the initial popularity of the paperweight. The Industrial Revolution offered the novel concept of leisure-time to Europeans, giving them more time to take part in the then crucial activity of letter writing. Decorative glass paperweight designs were all the rage, and during the mid-19th-century some of the most popular makers included the French companies of Baccarat, St. Louis and Clichy.
As paper was exceedingly expensive in the early to mid-19th-century, every effort was made to utilize a full sheet of it. Paper knives, which gave way to the modern letter opener, were helpful for cutting paper down to an appropriate size.
Books — those bound volumes of paper, you may recall — used to be common occurrences on desks of yore and where there were books there needed to be bookends. As a luxury item, bookend designs have run the gamut from incorporating ultra-luxurious materials (think marble and Murano glass) to being whimsical desk accompaniments (animal figurines were highly popular choices).
Though the inkwell’s extinction was ushered in by the advent of the ballpoint pen (itself quasi-obsolete at this point), there is still significant charm to be had from placing one of these bauble-like objets in a central spot on one’s desk. You may be surprised to discover the mood-boosting powers an antique — and purposefully empty — inkwell can provide.
The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass-production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier.
Find antique and vintage desk accessories today on 1stDibs.
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