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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: Early 20th Century
Period: 1920s
20th Century Italian Silvered Bronze Mounted Clear-over-red Domed Crystal Box
Located in New York, NY
An Unusual 20th Century Italian Silvered Bronze Mounted Clear-Over-red crystal box The box is composed of two sections of Italian clear-over-red crysta...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Rare & Pretty Pair of Porcelain Mosaic Inlay Photograph Picture Frames ca. 1900
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish and perfectly handcrafted pair of picture frames. If you are looking for the perfect picture frames for a pair of small photos of your children or of you and your wife or hu...
Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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

Antique Arts & Crafts Copper and Brass Table/Desk Lamp with Color Glass Inserts
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and highly stylish Arts & Crafts lamp. If you are an enthousiast of early 20th century lighting in general and of the Arts & Crafts style in particular then this antique lamp could be perfect for you. Handcrafted from brass and copper and inlaid with colored glass inserts this incredibly stylish desk or table lamp could very well be the perfect addition to your Arts & Crafts interior. Apart from some minor indentations to the upper part of the hand-hammered lamp...
Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper, Brass

Vintage Silver Plate Horseshoe Jockey Catchall, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous silver plated, 1920s small pot with a horseshoe and some horse race related items. Think it can be used at a table for paperclips, toothpicks, matchsticks or just as a open salt pot...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate, Metal

Early 20th Century Brass Art Deco Table or Desk Lamp with a Great Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
Practical size Art Deco desk lamp with a wonderful look and feel. There is something about table lamps from the past that you just don't find in modern lamps. If you don't have the right eye than this particular 1920s desk lamp...
Category

Early 20th Century European Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Apache Indian Chief Head Car Mascot, Hood Ornament / Paperweight, France, 1925
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Apache indian Chief Head Car Mascot - Hood Ornament / Paperweight. Designed by H. Briand publisher, Paris. Silvered bronze. Mounted over a black marble base. It has a hole at the ba...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Art Deco Sterling and Enamel Floral Dresser Set, 6 Pieces by Saart Brothers
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Art Deco Saart Brothers, sterling silver and white guilloche enamel with a floral vanity, dresser brush set. Marked with Saart Brothers hallmark and ster...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

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
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

Letter Opener by George Omerth
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Letter Opener by George Omerth Origin France Circa 1920 art deco style Excellent condition Gilt bronze and patina Omerth's life dates are not known in literature. He was a student of...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

An Art Deco Desk Tidy by Asprey London
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Art Deco Desk Tidy/ Pin Tray. Bronze tiger mounted ob an oval onyx base. Retailed by Asprey of London Dimensions: H 8cm W 16.5cm D 25cm Origin: English Date: Circa 1925 It...
Category

1920s English Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Chinese Teal Glazed Brush Rest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush rest was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This early 20th century...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Cartographer's Instrument Set, English, Surveyor's Tool Case, circa 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cartographer's instrument set. An English, silver nickel surveyor's tool case, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. An attract...
Category

Early 20th Century British Desk Accessories

Materials

Nickel

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

Chinese Blue Glazed Brush Rest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush rest was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This early 20th century...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

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

Remington Standard Model 10 Typewriter Circa 1910
Located in Opole, PL
Remington Standard Model 10 Typewriter Circa 1910 The model, likely from 1910 with serial number RV63621, advertised with the slogan "To save time is to lengthen life." The machine ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Rare & Sturdy Pair of Brutalist Forged Wrought Iron Candlesticks / Candleholders
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish and very strong pair of timeless candle sticks. If you are looking for beautiful Arts & Crafts antiques to grace your living space then this hand-crafted and timeless pair c...
Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique Walnut Art Deco Executive Desk Tray or Document & Letter Holder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique executive desk tray has no maker's signature, but presumed to have originated from England and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period style. The holder is con...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Antique Wooden Dovetail Office Tray c.1930 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An antique wooden office tray constructed with dovetail joints. This piece has retained its original finish and has the appropriate patina for the age and use. CREATOR Un...
Category

Early 20th Century Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Pad
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Nouveau or Arts & Crafts period patinated bronze "pine needle" blotter ends with custom black leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Doré Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze Neoclassical or Adam style rocker blotter By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.5"W x 2.75"D x 2"H ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Doré Notepad Holder
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze Neoclassical or Adam style notepad holder By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.63"W x 7.38"D x...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Doré Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique gilt bronze Neoclassical or Adam style inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.25"W x 3.25"D x 2.75"H...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Brass Letter Opener decorated with dog heads from the early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Brass Letter Opener decorated with dog heads. Art nouveau, from the early 20th Century. Wear consistent with age and use
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Pad
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Nouveau or Arts & Crafts period patinated bronze "pine needle" blotter ends with custom black leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Antique Frankart Art Deco Gilt Cast Metal Figural Deer Bookends C1930
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Frankart Art Deco Gilt Cast Metal Figural Deer Bookends C1930 Measures - 6.5"H x 7.25"W x 3.5"D
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Native American Indian Chief Sterling Silver Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
American Edwardian sterling silver figural letter opener, ca 1910. Cast terminal in form of gaunt face surrounded by feather headdress. Neckcloth spills over onto round frame (vacant...
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Art Deco Bronze Car Mascot French Bulldog Signed by Gaston H. Bourcart, 1925
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco bronze car mascot French bulldog signed by Gaston H. Bourcart. The hood ornament is in gilt bronze and stands on a marble base. France 1925. This mascot is illustrated plate nr. 329 Mascottes passion, Michel Legrand, Antic show éditions. More information: Mascottes automobiles...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, 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

Pair of Natural Hippopatomus Teeth Mounted Bookends, Turn-of-the-Century
Located in Miami, FL
Rare pair of natural hippo teeth bookends. Perfect to display your favorite books on a nightstand, mantel, dresser or shelf. Certainly a topic of conversation. The antique set of...
Category

Early 20th Century South African Desk Accessories

Materials

Bone, Wood

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

Antique 20th Century German Silver Plated Toboggan Shaped Inkwell, Kayser c.1920
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 20th Century German silver plated inkwell depicting a group of children on a toboggan sliding down the mountain, under one of the mountain peaks is a glass lined inkwell. A f...
Category

1920s German Other Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

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

Inkwell FRENCH MANUFACTURING OF THE EARLY 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Inkwell FRENCH MANUFACTURING OF THE EARLY 1900s Empire style inkwell in yellow Siena marble with gilded bronze inkwells and sphinx. 48 x 23 cm Height 20.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Rolleicord Model 1 Model K3 520 Twin lens Reflex Camera 120 Sheet Film Camera
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Franke & Heidecke Rolleicord Ia Model 1 - Model K3 - 520 Twin lens Reflex Camera 120 Sheet Film Camera Made In Germany 1936-1937 Highslide JSMarch 1936 - May 1937, 9,459 pieces. Se...
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Kodak No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie Model B 120 Roll Film Camera USA 1909 The No 2 Folding Pocket Brownie is a folding camera made by Kodak in Rochester, NY, USA, from c. 1909. It has...
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Glass

Swedish silver-plated Seal Stamp in Art Nouveau
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish silver-plated Seal Stamp in Art Nouveau. Made by GAB, Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden during the early 20th Century. The stamp with the initials T.R. The silver plating with p...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

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

Art Deco Pair of Pelican Figure Bookends in Hand Carved Woods, circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a good pair of Art Deco period, Book ends of two Pelicans hand carved in wood. Each stylised pelican has been well hand carved in a dark hardwood and stands on a base f...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Hardwood

Eastman Kodak Vest Pocket Model B 127 Film Folding Camera With Original Box 1925
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Eastman Kodak Vest Pocket Model B 127 Film Folding Camera With Original Branded Cardboard Box & Paper Booklet Ref: 27323 Around 1925, a successor to the Vest Pocket Kodak was rele...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

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

Art Deco period Egyptian revival style enamel and silver-gilt desk set
Located in London, GB
Art Deco period Egyptian revival style enamel and silver-gilt desk set Continental, c.1920 Box: height 10.5cm, width 27cm, depth 26cm Inkwell: height 7.5cm, width 16.5cm, depth 8c...
Category

Early 20th Century European Egyptian Revival Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand-Carved Figural Dog Inkwell
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique inkwell is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Black Forest style. The inkwell is composed of a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Softwood

Art Deco Bronze Sculpture Rabbit by Eduard Marcel Sandoz, Susse Freres, 1920
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco silver plated bronze sculpture of a rabbit hare. Lovely paperweight. Edouard Marcel Sandoz (1881-1973). Signature/ Marks: Ed.M. Sandoz - Susse Fre'...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Bookmark Pattern Bronze Doré Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Bookmark" pattern gilt bronze inkwell By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.25"W x 4.25"D x 2...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

English Edwardian 1900s Silver Dressing Table Mirror, Hair and Clothes Brushes
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Edwardian period dressing table hand mirror, hair and clothes brushes from the early 20th century with silver piqué décor of garlands and medallions. Born in England during the early years of the 20th century, this exquisite set of hand mirror and brushes...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Cartier 1926 Tom Pouce Ladies Lighter 18kt Gold Bronze Champlevé Emerald & Lapis
Located in Miami, FL
Mughal ladies Tom Pouce lighter designed by Cartier. Fabulous and extremely rare ladies cylindrical gasoline lighter. Created in Paris during the art deco period by the house of Cartier, back in the middle of the 1920's. This miniature Tom Pouce lighter, takes its name from the classic short fairy tales by the Grimm's brothers, Tom Thumb (Tom Pouce being the French translation). It was crafted with Champlevé colored enamels over rustic bronze and accented with details in yellow gold of 18 karats. Embellished with natural lapis lazuli and an emerald. The main outside body is decorated with organics elements and figures of red and blue birds. Gorgeous look and surely a great conversation piece which is accompanied by the round Cartier red box. Champlevé, in the decorative arts, is an enameling technique or an object made by the champlevé process, which consists of cutting away troughs or cells in a metal plate and filling the depressions with pulverized vitreous enamel. The raised metal lines between the cutout areas form the design outline. Emerald: Accented on top in a bezel setting, with 1 square faceted cut of a natural green emerald of about 0.15 carats. Lapis: Mount with 1 flat round cabochon cut, carved from lapis lazuli of about 1.25 carats. Birthstone: Emerald for the month of May. Weight: 21.95 Grams, (14.07 Dwt). Measurements: Have a diameter of 16 mm and a height of 33 mm (0.63 x 1.30 Inches). Hallmarks Stamped with the maker's mark, the serial numbers, the French taxation mark for luxury items BL inside a rectangular cartouche and signed, "CARTIER 5554", stamped with matching cases numbers, 13 & 13. Ministere Des Finances Lighter Tax 1911-1945 Note: On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted a new tax regulations on all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance. Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked. To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used: 2 French francs for common pocket lighters, 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver, 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters (e.g. made of gold), 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (over 10 cm), 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver, 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum. Between 1911 and 1916 a simple copper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère Des Finances" (eng. Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter) was introduced in 1926. It was a small hallmark which was considered as more discreet and applied only on luxury lighters like Quercia or Lancel. It is worth to mention that France was not the sole country where lighters were taxed and marked with special plates...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Gold, Bronze, Enamel

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

Vintage Heavy Bronze Savings Department Manager Desk Name Plate Sign, circa 1925
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Heavy bronze metal bank savings department manager desk name plate in very good condition, circa 1925. Has felt material on the bottom.
Category

Early 20th Century Canadian Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

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

19th C. Jugendstil German Cut Glass Crystal Inkwell with Polished 800 Silver Lid
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century Jugendstil german cut glass crystal inkwell with polished 800 silver lid By: unknown Material: glass, cut glass, crystal, si...
Category

Early 20th Century German Jugendstil Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Sterling Silver, Silver

Art Deco Note Pad, Vienna, circa 1920
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco note pad, Vienna, circa 1920 Brass polished and stove enamelled.
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom brown leather desk blotter By Tiffany Studios (signed to t...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

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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