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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1990s
Grand Tour Gilt Temple Bone and Gilt Italian Antique 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous Grand Tour model of an oval temple we date to circa 1890 Such an elegant piece crafted from bone and silver plate Classic Corinthian columns support the silver plate pedimen...
Category

1890s Grand Tour Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

A Louis Philippe bronze and ormolu desk set
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Louis Philippe bronze and ormolu desk set, comprising two ink wells and a powder shaker in the form of crenelated urns with anthemion-bud finia...
Category

1840s French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Count Gleichen’s shrapnel paperweight. Russian and English, 1854
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Count Gleichen’s Russian shell paperweight, the tooth shaped fragment of a Russian armament shell set above another of rectangular form both raised on a silver mount on an ebonized rectangular plinth, applied with a plaque reading ‘Two fragments of a Russian shell fired at Mr Fred Burne assist.t paymaster and Mr Henry Crave St John midshipman of H.M.S. Cumberland in Aug.t 1854 from Tsee Fort Bonarsund whilst conveying refreshments to the English camp – for their messmate – H.S.H. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Midshipman landed with the Naval Brigade in 1854’. With a framed caricature of Count Gleichen inscribed Vanity Fair, London, July 5, 1884. Vice Admiral H.S.H Count Gleichen – the Queen’s Nephew.Russian and English, 1854. The print has the following biography on the reverse and on the mount ‘His Serene Highness Prince Victor …. of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, is better known in England as Count Gleichen and as the Queen’s nephew. Born fifty years ago, he was sent to school at Dresden; but at the age of fourteen he conceived ideas not to be bounded within the confines of the small life of a German principality. So he ran away from school to go to sea, and his aunt the Queen of England, being informed of the fact, proposed to her sister to let her adventurous nephew become naturalised as an Englishman and enter the English Navy. This was accordingly done, and Prince Victor, as he was then called, was appointed to the Powerful on the Mediterranean Station, in 1848. He served in the Crimean War and in the operations in China he proved a popular officer and a good sailor-man, and was three times wounded in battle. In 1861 he married the daughter of Admiral Sir George Seymour, sister of the fifth Marquis of Hertford on which occasion it was that he put down his title of Prince and took up for future use that of Count. He became, in due course a Vice-Admiral, and in the meantime he also became a sculptor. It is in the latter art that he now mainly busies himself, and he has created many pleasing busts of his royal relatives and some works of greater pretensions than family portraits. An Alfred the Great, a Beaconsfield, and a Prince Imperial...
Category

1880s English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Silver

20th Century Italian Big Sterling Silver Magnifying Lens
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large, completely handmade, sterling silver magnifying lens Perfect for a prestigious desk. The lens frame is smooth while the hand is embossed by hand on both sides with scrolls ...
Category

1990s Italian Other Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sevres Style "Silvered" Rectangular Pink-Ground Box and Cover, Pen Tray
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Sevres style "Silvered" rectangular pink-ground box and cover, pen tray painted with pink and silvered cabbage roses beneath a silvered rim; the fron...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Sèvres

Antique English Wedgwood Blue Porcelain Coromandel Wood Inkwell, Circa 1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Wedgwood blue porcelain and coromandel wood inkwell desk compendium, circa 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Albert Paley 1994 "Medallion" Paperweight in Blackened Steel with Bronzed Patina
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Albert Paley large handcrafted steel medallion paperweight. Small edition for Arts Patrons. Formed and fabricated blackened steel with chemical patina...
Category

1990s American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

19th Century Mahogany Inkwell in the Form of a Capstan
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
19th century model of a ship's capstan in mahogany with a hinged lid enclosing an inkwell.
Category

1880s English Antique Desk Accessories

French Art Nouveau Bronze Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
Handmade bronze inkwell consists of three removable cups, the largest of which has a removable top. Inkwell depicts leaves and flowers. Signed VieiAard.
Category

19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

20th Cebtury Italian Big Sterling Silver Letter Opener
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large, completely handmade, sterling silver letter opener. Perfect for a prestigious desk. The blade is smooth while the hand is embossed by hand on both sides with scrolls and fl...
Category

1990s Italian Other Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Silver Inkstand, Late 19th century
Located in New York, NY
Retailed by Tiffany and Co. The three compartments decorated with gadrooning, shells and floral finials, with additional laurel leaf garlands flanking a central shell on the base, th...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Silvered Metal and Pietra Dura Table Planter
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare silvered metal desk or tabletop planter inlaid with 12 framed Pietra Dura panels of inlaid colorful flowers on a black base, complete with its ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

PAIR OF 19th Century French CHENETS Louis XVI Style
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF 19th Century French CHENETS Louis XVI style, in gilded metal. Dim.: 29 x 13 x 5 cm good conditions
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Ornate Letter Rack, Italian, Gilt Stationery Stand, Desk Tidy, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique ornate letter rack. An Italian, gilt metal stationery stand or desk tidy, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Striking Continental taste with classic...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry, made of ebonised fruitwood naturalistically carved with a cockerel and hen perched on a rocky outcrop, bundles of wh...
Category

1890s Swiss Black Forest Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Antique French Gilt Bronze Encrier Inkwell Desk Stand, Signed JF
Located in Forney, TX
A most impressive fine quality antique Louis XV style French ormolu encrier / inkstand. Born in France in the 19th century, almost certainly Parisian work, exquisitely chased, chis...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Victorian Coromandel Brass Wooden Letters Stationery Writing Box Casket
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Absolutely stunning early Victorian well figured Coromandel Stationery Casket of museum quality and in outstanding condition. Mid to late Nineteenth Century, of English origin. Th...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

A Beautiful Victorian Japanned Writing Slope With Decorative Enamel Inlays
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Beautiful Victorian Japanned Writing Slope With Decorative Floral Elements Enamel Inlays & Gilt Swallows. The slope features a black fitted interior finished with a black velvet s...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Swiss Antique 19th Century Black Forest Dog inkwell desk accessory hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a dog wearing a hat and monocle Detailed carving by a master carver. Comes w...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Cut Glass, Wood

Antique Victorian Coromandel Brass Wooden Letters Stationery Casket Box Betjeman
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Absolutely stunning early Victorian well figured Coromandel Stationery Casket of museum quality and in outstanding condition. Mid Nineteenth Century. Made in England by G. Betjemann....
Category

Mid-19th Century Irish Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Antique English Ormolu and Malachite Inkwell, Circa 1860-1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English ormolu & malachite inkwell, circa 1860-1880.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Antique English Crystal & Sterling Silver Inkwell Signed "Samuel Jacob" Ca 1895
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English cut crystal and sterling silver inkwell signed by silversmith "Samuel Jacob" of London, circa 1895.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Black Forest inkwell cat in boot Swiss Antique 19th Century hand carved glass
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a cat in a boot. The cat is very detailed with glass eyes (slight damage to b...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Wood

Rare black Forest rooster inkwell 19th century Swiss glass eyes hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a dog wearing a hat and monocle. Detailed carving by a master carver. Comes w...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Wood

Large Exceptional Swiss Black Forest double inkwell desk decoration 19th Century
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century double Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a bird eating nuts & floral leaves / walnuts. Carved by a master carve...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Wood

Quality large pair of antique Victorian scales by Parnall & Sons of Bristol
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality large pair of Victorian scales by Parnall & Sons of Bristol, having a brass centre column mounted upon a wooden base, with a shaped brass arm holding brass weighing pans, Mar...
Category

Early 19th Century Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Exquisite Georgian Hand Crafted Mahogany Writing Slope With Red Tooled Leather
By Thompson Cabinet Company
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Early 19th Century Exquisite Brass Bound Hand Crafted Mahogany Writing Slope Burgundy Red Tooled Leather, Two Glass Brass Topped Inkwells & Two Original Keys. The top and front have...
Category

1820s British Georgian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Group of Four French Decorative Items, Letter Opener, Paperweight, Figure, and B
Located in San Francisco, CA
Group of Four French Decorative Items including 19th century figural letter opener 1.5" x 1.5" x 8.25" French metal helmet paperweight base: 3.75" x 4.5", helmet 2.5" x x2", Overal...
Category

19th Century Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Early 19th Century Napoleon Bonaparte Letter Opener
Located in Lučenec, SK
This is one of a kind bronze letter opener from the period just after Napoleon's death. It is a testament to his popularity that even letter openers featured his face.
Category

1820s French Empire Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Doré Bronze And Enamel Writing Desk Casket
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite French writing desk casket is a stellar example of neoclassical craftsmanship. Fashioned from Doré bronze and adorned with royal blue enamel, it features a classical t...
Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Italian 800 Silver Desk Set
Located in VALENZA, IT
Italian desk set in 800/1000 silver late 1800s. The set consists of: Square-shaped ground crystal inkwell with hinged silver lid and 24kt gold finish inside . Rectangular pad with s...
Category

19th Century Italian Other Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Antique Floral Bouquet Cast Iron Door Stop
Located in South Salem, NY
Charming cast iron doorstop with a cheerful flower basket design, made in England circa 1880. Sturdy and functional, the doorstop has a wonderful painted finish in a pastel palette. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Antique Silver Artist’s Paint Box by Harry Atkin Sheffield 1892
Located in London, GB
A stunning Antique Silver Artist’s paint box by Harry Atkin, Date Sheffield 1892. A Rare Miniature travelling paint box in excellent condition. The silver on both the outside and the interior is in superb condition. Upon opening, the front cascades down to reveal two wells for water and perhaps mixing colours. The interior is well protected thanks to the interior gilding. The lid engraved “Lettice’s Paint Box”. Lettice is a traditional, English girl’s name most commonly found in the upper classes. The actual paints are not original but the current set of paints are a later acceptable replacement. The miniature brush was with it but not original and doubt it ever had one. Dimensions; W 5” x D 3 1/4” H 1 1/4" About the maker; Atkin Brothers business traces his origin to Thomas Law...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Venetian Grotto Style Book Stand
Located in East Hampton, NY
Early 19th century book stand in carved wood, gilded and painted in the Venetian style..... grotto style book rest.
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III inkwell gilt bronz and champleve enamel Origin France perfect condition circa 1860. The Napoleon III style had its heyday during the 1850s and 1880s. Emperor Napoleon wa...
Category

1850s French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Enamel

Landers, Frary & Clark Cast Iron Coffee Grinder/Mill
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a large and heavy Landers, Frary & Clark cast iron coffee grinder#20 1/2. It has a bell shaped nickel hopper with a flat wood lid and two...
Category

Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Napoleon III Inkwell Writing Case Rosewood Porcelain And Gilt Bronze
Located in CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FR
Large writing case with compartments, forming an inkwell and pen holder, from the Napoleon III period, in rosewood marquetry and interiors of the compartments in speckled maple, with...
Category

1870s European Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Papier Mâché Inkstand w/ Drawer & Crystal Inkwells English Jennens & Bettridge
Located in Savannah, GA
This high quality Papier-Mache desk set is beautifully hand painted in a floral motif and features inlaid mother of pearl and the original pair of cut glass inkwells with brass tops....
Category

1840s English Early Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Gilt-Metal Mounted and Enamel Banded Agate Desk Seal
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). 19th century banded agate seal...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate

19th Century French Brass Ink Well on Marble
Located in Charlottesville, VA
An object of art now, captures the period.
Category

19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

French 19th Century Set of Scale Weights Stand Desk Accessory
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century Set of Brass Scale Weights, France A charming late 19th Century set of weights in brass, housed in their wooden stand. Weights such as these were used with different sc...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Rare Lalique "Chrysis" Mascot or Paperweight in Amber Crystal Art Deco France
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Presenting this fabulous "Chrysis" nude woman mascot or paperweight crafted in etched and polished amber crystal. This example is a limited edition release from the late 1990s produc...
Category

1990s French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Italian modern paperweight by V. Nason & C. in transparent Murano glass, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern paperweight by V. Nason & C. in transparent Murano glass, 1990s Transparent Murano glass sphere-shaped paperweight. Inside the structure you can see a variation in the...
Category

1990s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass, Paper

Victorian Brass Inkwell In The Form Of A Terrier
Located in Essex, MA
Cast terrier with hinge lid opening to an inkwell. From the estate of the founder of Yankee Candle Co.
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Antique Malachite Inkwell Desk Set French Inkstand
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French malachite desk inkwell set Love the colour and grain to the malachite which really stands out The gilt fixtures are original and very well cast with great patina Come...
Category

1880s Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

1820's Bronze Inkwell with an Eagle Standing Atop
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A Napoleon III bronze inkwell Encrier. Three winged cupids holding up a bowl with masked faces with an eagle standing atop. Dimensions: H 16cm W 11cm D 8cm Origin: French Date: ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Antique Victorian Three Bottle Tantalus & Games Compendium 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous antique Victorian games compendium and tantalus, circa 1880 in date. It consists of three cut crystal liquor bottles with stoppers, a pair of engraved shot glass...
Category

1880s Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

Art Deco Bronze Bird Paperweight Signed P. Sega
Located in NANTES, FR
Art deco paperweight circa 1930. Kingfisher in silvered bronze on a black marble base veined with white. Signature on the base P. Sega for Pierre Sega. In perfect condition. Height:...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Art Deco Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Inkwell with Imperial Eagle in Portoro Marble and Gilt Bronze
Located in NICE, FR
We would like to present you with this magnificent 19th-century Empire-style inkwell from the Napoleon III era adorned with a raised imperial eagle motif positioned between the two i...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Victorian Solid Silver & Enamel Novelty Champagne Bottle Pencil
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Victorian novelty solid silver pencil modelled as a champagne bottle, complete with textured top mimicking foil and a black and white enameled label indicating '...
Category

19th Century Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Finest Quality Handcrafted Antique Bronze and Brass Gothic Revival Inkstand
Located in Lisse, NL
Another rare antique for the collectors and enthusiasts of Gothic art. This sizeable and very stylish inkstand was all-handcrafted in the late 19th century and it could hardly be in...
Category

Late 19th Century European Gothic Revival Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century Small Inkwell in Porcelain and Silver-Gilt in Sevres Style
Located in Paris, FR
Small inkwell crafted in porcelain, the paunch and lid decorated with a frieze of polychromatic floral motives highlighted with gold. The lid topped by a pine cone finial features a ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Antique Baccarat Millefiori Gridel Chruch Paperweight
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : An Antique Baccarat Millefiori Gridel Chruch Paperweight 1848 Date : 1848 Origin : France Features : Three gridel canes, goat, horse and cockerel within a close pack of com...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Porcelain Biscuit Pen Holder
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This pen holder is truly refined, made of biscuit porcelain. Elaborate decoration with a loving couple on the front. Two compartments for pens. Perfect for a refined desk.
Category

1990s Italian Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

A cast bronze sprung hinged letter / document clip in the form of a crane’s head
Located in Chonburi, TH
This exquisite cast bronze sprung hinged letter/document clip from France circa 1880 is a stunning example of functional artistry. Crafted in the form of a crane's head, it embodies ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

English Victorian Period 19th Century Wood or Horn Letter Opener
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Victorian period letter opener from the 19th century, made of wood or horn. Experience the charm of the Victorian era with this exquisite English Victorian period letter o...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn, Wood

Late 19th Century Equestrian Card Holder
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A card holder with an equestrian design.
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique 19thC Victorian Solid Silver & Enamel Novelty Champagne Bottle Pencil
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Victorian novelty solid silver pencil modelled as a champagne bottle, complete with textured top mimicking foil and a black and white enameled label indicating '...
Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

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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