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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: Early 1900s
Period: 1910s
Pair of Picture Frame, Polished Brass, Made by J.H. France, 1900s
Located in Verviers, BE
Pair of Picture Frame, Polished Brass, Made by J.H. France, 1900s Pair photograph frame (or miniature frame) with classical Victorian design. Typical frame for wedding photographs....
Category

Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

1910 René Lalique Nenuphar Inkwell Frosted Glass with Grey Patina, Water Lily
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Inkwell "Nénuphar" (Water Lily) made in frosted glass with grey patina by René Lalique in 1910. Engraved signature. Perfect condition. Complete with ink holder. diameter : 7 cm ...
Category

1910s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Henrik Wigström 1908 Russia Saint Petersburg Enameled Snuff Box in 14kt Gold
Located in Miami, FL
A snuff gold box designed by Henrik Wigström. Beautiful neo classic snuff box, created in St, Petersburg Russia, at the workshop of Henrik Wigström, back in the 1908. This piece has been carefully crafted in the Russian imperial and Louis XVI styles, in solid yellow gold of 56 zolotnik (14kt) and embellished with applications of white enamel. Decorated around with garlands and intricates dotted patterns. Fitted with an invisible hinge and close perfectly well. Weight: 36.65 Grams, (23.49 Dwt). Measurements: 41 mm by 39 mm by 14 mm (1.61 x 1.53 x 0.55 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped on both parts with Russian marks; the kokoshnik post 1908 mark with the letter a for the city of Saint Petersburg, the maker's mark HW associated to Henrik Wigström inside an oval cartouche, scratched with his inventory numbers 86111 and the 56 zolotnik mark for the assay and warranty of the gold. Other Hallmarks: Stamped in the outside border, with German importation marks; the German Crown mark, the retailer mark AT inside an oval and the 585 mark for the assay and warranty of the gold. Henrik Immanuel Wigström born on 1862 and was a Finnish silver & goldsmith. He was one of the most important Fabergé workmasters along with Michael Perchin. Perchin was the head workmaster from 1886 until his death in 1903, when he was succeeded by his chief assistant Henrik Wigström. These two workmasters were responsible for almost all the imperial Easter eggs. Henrik Wigström was born in Ekenäs, Finland, and was apprenticed to a local Danish born goldsmith named Peter Madsén, a successful manufacturer of silverware who was familiar with the jewellery trade in the city of St. Petersburg, as at one time he had had a workshop there. Once in Madsén's employment, his master's trade with Russia, as well as his numerous business contacts here, brought him to work in St. Petersburg. Goldsmith Werner Elfström employed Wigström as a apprentice on his arrival in the capital in 1875. Wigström became assistant in 1884, at the age of 22, to Perchin, whose shop at that time was already working exclusively for Fabergé. Wigström became head workmaster at Fabergé after Perchin's death in 1903. The number of craftsmen in Wigström's workshop diminished drastically with the outbreak of World War I. By 1918, the Revolution forced the complete closing of the House of Fabergé. Aged 56, Wigström retreated almost empty-handed to his summer house, on Finnish territory, and died at Terijoki in 1923. His art is similar to Perchin's but tends to be in the Louis XVI, Empire, or neo-classical style. Nearly all the Fabergé hardstone animals...
Category

Early 1900s Russian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Jugendstil fruit knives with holder vienna around 1908
Located in Wien, AT
Jugendstil fruit knives with holder vienna around 1908 Steel and bone handle Original condition
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Signed Tiffany Studios Art Nouveau Table Lamp, Early 1900's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage early 20th Century leaded glass and bronze table lamp was made by the Tiffany Studios, New York. The handcrafted leaded shade is made u...
Category

1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Edwardian Sterling Silver and Blue Guilloche Enamel-Mounted Magnifying Glass
By George Hope
Located in New York, NY
Large, Edwardian, sterling silver and blue guilloche enamel-mounted magnifying glass, Birmingham, England, 1906, Geo. Hope - maker. Measures almost 9 inches long x 3 3/4 inches diame...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Antique 20th Century English Solid Silver Bookmark By Sampson Mordan & Co c.1918
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century English solid silver bookmark. The top of the bookmark has an ornamental pheasant. A wonderful addition to any book lover or as a collectable item. This al...
Category

1910s British Other Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau, Liberty & Co. London. Hammered Antique Pewter Dish c1910
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Art Nouveau antique pewter footed dish for Liberty & Co., Regent Street, London Superb dark pewter patina and hand hammered with stylised edging decoration Circa 1910 Signed English ...
Category

1910s English Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Parcel Gilt Inkwell (1907)
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver parcel gilt inkwell made by R & S Garrard & Co; part of our antique silver and glassware collection. Th...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Art Nouveau Bat Inkwell by Unknown French Artist
Located in Chicago, US
Little is known about the origins of this amazing piece, apart from it being from France, circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Art Nouveau Viper Lamp by Unknown French Artist
Located in Chicago, US
Little is known about the origins of this amazing lamp, apart from it being from France, circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Open letters by C. villain
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Open letters by C. villain Origin France Circa 1915 Empire style patinated bronze Soldier motif Excellent condition signed on the side FRENCH, 1853-1910 Jean Garnier was born in Mou...
Category

1910s French Empire Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Open letters by Alfred Jorel
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Open letters by Alfred Jorel Origin France Circa 1915 Gilded bronze Art nouveau style Excellent condition with some wear due to age. Jorel was a student of the sculptor Jean Carlus. ...
Category

1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Antique Art Nouveau Small Cast Iron Figural Butterfly Door Stop Bookend
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Art Nouveau Small Cast Iron Figural Butterfly Door Stop Bookend. Circa Early 1900s. Measurements: 5.5" H x 6" W x 1.75" D.
Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Rare Antique Tiffany Sterling Silver & Leather Paperweight
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rare Antique Tiffany Sterling Silver & Leather Paperweight
Category

Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
Always very popular and a very useful desk-top accessory, this one is one of the larger examples, quite an imposing size. These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser o...
Category

1910s British Edwardian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Baroque Style Brass Inkwell Set and Letter Holder Stand
Located in Doylestown, PA
Baroque style solid brass double inkwell set with letter holder, c. 1900-1910. A gorgeous desktop accessory ornately adorned with cherubs, flowers and scrolling acanthus leaves. In...
Category

Early 1900s European Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Antique 20Thc Lignum Vitae Bulldog Inkwell Jar c.1910
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-20th Century Victorian lignum vitae inkwell carved in the form of a bulldog head. The detail is of exceptional quality, featuring glass eyes and a red felt collar aroun...
Category

1910s British Other Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Wood

Art Nouveau Footed Tray Made By Liberty & Co., English Hammered Antique Pewter
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Art Nouveau antique pewter footed tray made by Liberty & Co., Regent Street, London Historic household piece of English pewter with hand hammered stylised decoration Circa 1910 Signe...
Category

1910s English Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Sterling Silver Postal Scales - Desk Ideas - Hallmarked in 1913
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1913 by George Betjemann & Sons, this handsome set of Antique Sterling Silver Postal Scales, are plain in design, and have the original silver plated weights....
Category

1910s English Edwardian Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique 20thC Royal Solid Silver Desk Compendium, William Hurcomb c.1904
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century Edwardian solid silver desk compendium, rectangular form, the four sides opening outwards to reveal the gilt interior, in the centre a small taperstick, th...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Leaf holder model "Tree of life" by TIFFANY Studios
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Desk paper holder made of gilded bronze (Ormolu), “Tree of Life” model, made by TIFFANY Studios. Signed TIFFANY STUDIOS, NEW YORK, 1021 United States, CIRCA 1900.
Category

Early 1900s Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Art Nouveau Signed WMF Pitcher Brass and Copper with Handle and Organic Details
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Nouveau Signed WMF Pitcher Brass and Copper with Handle and Organic Details Hand-hammered out of one piece of copper. Brass handle with Organic style details With original Pati...
Category

1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Copper

Ophelia, Stamp In Gilt Bronze, By Maurice Bouval
Located in Saverne, Grand Est
Magnificent gilt bronze stamp representing Ophelia, character from Shakespeare's famous play "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark", more commonly referred to by the abbreviated ...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Arts & Crafts Sculptural Owl Forged Iron Inkwell by Goberg Hugo Berger Antique
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Fantastic hand-forged Arts & Crafts figural Inkwell in shape of an owl, believed to be made by Goberg ~ 1900. The owl is made of forged iron with a lovely patina and bears yellow gla...
Category

Early 1900s German Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

Antique Paris Le Sacre Coeur Souvenir Double Inkwell Stand Architecture Building
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s - 1910s double inkwell, with a souvenir building of The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris. Nice addition to your writing desk or just to display them in your ...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique French Faience Quimper Inkwell Pen Tray, circa 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A charming antique French faience Quimper double inkwell and pen tray desk set, circa 1900. This gorgeous inkwell is hand painted with a traditional Breton man surrounded by bagpipes...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Faience

Edwardian Glass and Sterling Silver Match Striker / Paperweight
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, antique Edwardian English glass and sterling silver match striker; an addition to our ornamental collection. This exceptional antique Edwardian sterling silver and glass match striker has a globular form. The surface of the glass body is embellished with a serrated texture which composes a match striker. The upper portion of this example of antique silverware retains the original, plain hallmarked sterling silver mount which continues to line the match receiver; this solid silver lining indicates the high quality of the piece. By virtue of its size and weight, this versatile match striker could be utilised as a paperweight. Condition This antique 20th century match striker glass match holder...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Erhard & Söhne Jugendstil Inkwell 1910 Austria
Located in Den Haag, NL
An early 20th century, Jugendstil period inkwell by Erhard und Sohne. Austria ca. 1910 .Burl wood with Brass inlay  .Beautiful crafted piece .
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Ocean Liner Ship Souvenir Metal Money Box Piggy Bank, Vintage 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage metal money bank. A beautiful decorative item in metal with a missing lock. Made in Europe, circa 1910s or older. Nice addition to any collection, desktop, living ro...
Category

1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Old Vienna Paris Porcelain Inkwell and Ink Blotter Desk Set - 2 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Old Vienna Paris Porcelain Inkwell and Ink Blotter Desk Set - 2 Pc Set. item features Painted scenes, beautiful color, crown mark to inkwell, ver nice antique set. Circa Ear...
Category

Early 1900s Other Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Large English Antique Brass Desk Magnifying Glass / Paperweight c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
Always very popular and a very useful desk-top accessory. These large circular magnifiers actually are the condenser or magnifier from a Magic Lantern dating to around 1910; they are...
Category

1910s British Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios bronze patinated pen tray form #1000 Arts and Crafts
Located in Mobile, AL
The Zodiac pen tray is a fantastic holiday gift for the Cancer or Pisces who loves Tiffany, Arts and Crafts or simply fine living. Designed for pens over a century ago, the functions today can be endless. This examples is well cast and retains a fair amount of the original patina. The surface is a lovely mottled brown and black finish and there is significant red and green patina underneath where it was not exposed to UV light over the past century. The detail shots show the quality of the cast clearly and the markings of Tiffany Studios 1000. There is minor overall wear and modest scratching from both use and from cleaning. Nonetheless, the photos show how astoundingly attractive this example is and would we really expect a century old desk...
Category

1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century Polished Brass Renaissance Style Inkwell
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique ink stand, made of polished brass, completely in Renaissance style, with richly pieced scroll motifs. The inkwell has two removable ink we...
Category

Early 1900s French Renaissance Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Zodiac letter opener with fantastic patina # 1095 Arts and Crafts
Located in Mobile, AL
A gorgeous Tiffany Studios Zodiac pattern letter opener. These retains significant amounts of red colored patina and some green. And, although gorgeous, please note there is a ripp...
Category

1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Period Inkwell Pencil Holder with Woodpecker - Franjou
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An Art Deco period inkwell, signed Franjou. With a figure of a woodpecker. Made of nickel-plated spelter. On a marble plinth with fluting for a pencil. Franjou is a pseudonym of the...
Category

1910s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Spelter

Tiffany Zodiac large Letter box holder and large blotter ends Arts and Crafts
Located in Mobile, AL
Tiffany Studios American Arts and Crafts style patinated letter box and blotter ends. This set retains significant green and red patina and over the years had accumulated some black...
Category

1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Art Nouveau Bronze Inkwell with an Owl
Located in Stockholm, SE
An Art Noveau or Jugend patinated bronze pen and inkwell with an owl sitting in the center. The owl have inset glass eyes. Made ca.1900. Possibly Swedish. Symbolism of the owl: The...
Category

Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Thermos Cup Set, 1912 USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 metal Thermos cups from the early 1900s in great condition with a thick cowhide cover and a lid. Incredible condition to metal cups for being over 100 years old. Leather cup...
Category

1910s American Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Card holder dragons, 1900 , Style: Art Nouveau, Liberty, jugendstil
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All ...
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Baroque Style Putti Letter Rack with 2 Inkwells This is a very grand desk top i
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Baroque Style Putti Letter Rack with 2 Inkwells This is a very grand desk top inkwell, the letter sections are decorated with Putti and Cherubs th...
Category

Early 1900s Baroque Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

WMF Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand of Rectangular Organic Flowing Form
Located in London, GB
WMF. Secessionist Art Nouveau Pewter Inkstand. Germany. The inkstand is of rectangular organic form with stylized clovers to the front border, plain deep welled front, and smaller si...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Margaret Gilmour School. An Arts & Crafts brass inkwell with Celtic interlacing.
By Margaret Gilmour
Located in London, GB
Magaret Gilmour School. An Arts & Crafts brass inkwell with a dome lid and Celtic interlacing around the inkwell body and to each side of the base with a shallow pen holder at the fr...
Category

Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Liberty & Co. An Arts & Crafts Pewter Inkwell with Violet Enamel Decoration.
Located in London, GB
Liberty & Co. Regent Street. London. An English Arts & Crafts Pewter Inkwell with violet-colored enamel decoration to the top, and to each of the circles at the four corners. Stamped...
Category

Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Pair of Picture Frame, Polished Brass, Style of J.H. France, 1900s
Located in Verviers, BE
Pair of Picture Frame, Polished Brass, style of J.H. France, 1900s Pair photograph frame (or miniature frame) with classical Victorian design. Typical frame for wedding photographs...
Category

Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

"Venetian" model desk set by TIFFANY & CO
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Desk set made of gilded bronze (Ormolu) composed of 14 “Venetian” model pieces, made by TIFFANY & Co, (1837 - present). Signed TIFFANY STUDIOS, NEW YORK, 1647. United States, CIRCA ...
Category

1910s American Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

'Lover's Knot' Double Picture Frame, Polished Brass in The Style of J.H. France
Located in Verviers, BE
Original Victorian period double photograph frame (or miniature frame) with classical Victorian 'Lover's Knot' design. Typical frame for wedding photographs. Made of solid cast brass...
Category

Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Letter opener, solid bronze floral laburnum decor, Jugendstil Art Nouveau France
Located in Wien, AT
Very nice example of a letter opener, made out of solid bronze, from the famous Jugendstil - Art Nouveau period, around 1900. This object is a beautiful desk accessory made of high...
Category

Early 1900s French Jugendstil Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Antique Art Nouveau Silver Inkwell, Dip Pen and Seal Set, in Box, Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s travel set or desktop accessories inkwell, dip pen and seal. Made of silver and crystal glass. Nice addition to your writing desk or just to display them in your ...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Silver

English Equestrian Horseshoe Silver Plate & Oak Desktop Inkwell Inkstand c. 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique English Edwardian silverplate and oak inkwell inkstand with a pen rest, circa 1900. This fine inkstand has the original lovely cut cr...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

Italian antique marble sampler paperweight
Located in Milan, IT
Italian antique marble sampler paperweight
Category

Early 1900s Italian Grand Tour Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Edgar Gilstrap Simpson ARTS & CRAFTS INKWELL, RUSKIN POTTERY LINER C.1900
Located in Stourbridge, GB
A fantastic quality beaten copper with turquoise finial arts and crafts inkwell signed by Edgar Simpson. A superb jewellery designer whose workmanship is of the very highest quality ...
Category

Early 1900s British Arts and Crafts Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper

AUSTRIAN COLD PAINTED BRONZED CARPET SELLER INK STAND AFTER FRANZ BERGMAn
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely made in Austria stamped Ink well depicting an Arabic carpet seller which is after and original design by Franz Bergman This is a very ...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Spelter

Unusual Desk Top Antique Lantern Model Brass Curio
Located in London, GB
An unusual brass desk top, mantelpiece or shelf curio. Likely England or France, c1900s. Raised over a black marble bass, this details desk top model of a street lantern has ...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

Rare Nude Art Nouveau Celluloid Straight Razor by Ern. C. Friedr
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare nude Art Nouveau celluloid handle Straight Razor. This is a great antique straight razor with a detailed Art Nouveau Nude standing in a gre...
Category

1910s German Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Rare Nude Art Nouveau Ripped Celluloid Straight Razor by Ern. C. Friedr
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare nude Art Nouveau celluloid handle Straight Razor. This is a great antique straight razor with a detailed Art Nouveau Nude standing on the w...
Category

1910s Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Rare business card tray, solid bronze around 1900, Jugendstil Art Nouveau France
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful business card tray, made out of solid bronze, an original of the Jugendstil - Art Nouveau period, made around 1900. This nice historical object has a rectangular shape an...
Category

Early 1900s French Jugendstil Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Beautiful Highly Decorative Letter Scale Antique, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful highly decorative letter scale. All written in German. With porcelain Enamel Face. Nice item for your writing desk or just as a display item at your cupboard.
Category

Early 1900s German Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

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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