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Desk Accessories

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Desk Accessories For Sale
Style: Art Deco
Style: Victorian
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

19th Century Giltwood Watch Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved figural giltwood pocket watch stand.
Category

Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

English Victorian Period 19th Century Wood or Horn Letter Openers, Sold Each
Located in Atlanta, GA
Two English Victorian period letter openers from the 19th century, made of wood or horn, priced and sold $195 each. Created in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, each of the...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Horn

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

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

1931 Rene Lalique Seal Stamp Ecureuil Squirrel Opalescent Glass
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Seal Stamp "Ecureuil" (Squirrel) made in opalescent glass by Rene Lalique in 1931. Engraved signature. Perfect condition. Exceptional opalescent. height : 11,5 cm Félix Marcilh...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

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

Art Deco Josephine Baker Female Dancer Brass Statue, Austria 1930 Karl Hagenauer
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Exceptional Karl Hagenauer statue of a female dancer sculpture, commonly titled as Josephine Baker, cast and nickel plated brass, circa 1930s. , manufactured by Werkstätte Hagenauer ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Double Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze double inkwell box in the Venetian design By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.25"W x 3.13"D x 2.75...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios Style Iridescent Favrile Glass Scarab Paperweight
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco style iridescent favrile glass scarab paper weight In the manner of Tiffany Studios USA, 20th Century Measures: 5"W x 3"D x 1.75"H Very good ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Stamp Box
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze stamp box in the Venetian design By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4"W x 2.25"D x 1.75"H Good ori...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Paperweight
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze paperweight in the Venetian design By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.25"W x 2.5"D x 0.88"H Good...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré and Abalone Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & crafts period gilt bronze and inlaid abalone pen tray By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 8.75"W x 2.63"D x ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Macassar Wood, Chrome and Lucite Desk Accessory Letter Holder
Located in Atlanta, GA
This impressive Art Deco modernist desk accessory or letter holder was crafted in France in the late 1940s. This sleek, geometric-shaped mail rack has a Macassar wood main body, chro...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré and Abalone Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Nouveau or Art Deco period gilt bronze and inlaid abalone rocker ink blotter By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.75"W x 2.75"D x 1.75"H...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze pen tray in the Venetian design By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 10"W x 3.75"D x 0.75"H Good ori...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Doré Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Pad
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period gilt bronze blotter ends in the "Venetian" pattern, with a custom blue leather desk blotter. By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, E...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Large Paper Clip, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze paper clip in the Venetian design By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 2.5"W x 3.5"D x 1.25"H. Good ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Tiffany Studios New York Venetian Bronze Rocker Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique bronze rocker ink blotter in the Venetian design By Tiffany Studios (signed on the side) New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.5"W x 3"D x 2"H Very goo...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Victorian Glossy Extending Black Leather Stationary Writing Slope With Key
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Victorian Glossy Black Leather Extending Correspondence Box / Writing Slope With Black Tooled Leather Interior SLOPE 30 Inside the slope there is a leather bound blotting sheet, le...
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Steel

1925 René Lalique Seal Moineau Sparrow Clear Glass
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Seal "Moineau" (Sparrow) made in clear glass by René Lalique in 1925. Stamped signature. Perfect condition height: 5 cm Félix Marcilhac, René Lalique - Catalogue Raisonné de l'Œuv...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Art deco card holder
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art deco card holder in very nice original condition.
Category

1930s Slovak Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

Exquisite Victorian Walnut & Black Leather Campaign Writing Slope & Secret Space
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Exquisite Victorian Hand-Crafted Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Black Tooled Leather Interior With Secret Compartment SLOPE 23 Brass front shield could be personalised with engravi...
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Sterling Silver Inkwell by John & William Deakin
Located in San Diego, CA
Art Deco sterling silver inkwell by John & William Deakin of Chester, England, circa 1921. The inkwell has a single back hinge to open the lid and a saucer cap as well as the origina...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Art Deco Palisander and Pewter Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
French Art Deco palisander and pewter inlaid inkwell with 2 crystal wells.
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Pewter

Fantastic set of antique Victorian postal scales and weights by S.Mordan London
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fantastic set of large antique Victorian postal scales and weights by S.Mordan London, having a fantastic quality set of antique Victorian scales by S.Mordan London, the brass scales...
Category

Early 19th Century Early Victorian Antique 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 Lacquered Calendar Desk Set, Two Inkwells With Retractable Lids 1930's
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Elegant Art Deco 1930's Monochrome Desk Set. Befit With Two Engine Turned Inkwells with Glass Linings and Lids That Retract. Fixed Pen Tidy and A Central Calendar. With A Green Baiz...
Category

1930s British Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Typewriter/ HERMES 2000, Switzerland 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
HERMES 2000 is a Swiss product, made in the 1930s by the E. Paillard Company, based in the city of Yverdon Fully functional Made of metal, steel, chrome, f...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

19th Century Victorian Folding Bookrest
Located in Oakville, ON
Gorgeous selection of walnut veneers with lovely colour and brass mounts
Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

1931 René Lalique, Seal Soucis Yellow Amber Glass Flowers
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Seal Stamp "Soucis" made in yellow amber glass by René Lalique in 1931. Engraved signature on edge. Perfect condition.  height: 8.5 cm Félix Marcilhac, René Lalique - Catalogue Ra...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Pair of Late Victorian English Ivory Letter Openers with Sterling Silver Handles
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of Late Victorian english ivory letter openers/bone folders with sterling silver horse and dog/wolf handles By: unknown Material: bone, silver, metal...
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Silver, Sterling Silver

Art Deco Full Desk Set in Marble and Brass, France, 1930s
Located in Paris, FR
Art Deco full desk set in marble and brass, France, 1930s. Composed by: 2 Inkwells W 29.5 cm x D 18.5cm x H 8 cm Ashtray W 14 cm x D 14 cm x H 4 cm Envel...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

Art Deco Bakelite Desk Writing Set, 5 pieces in box, France 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Art Deco Bakelite desk accessories writing set dates from the 1930s. The set is built of five pieces in its original box: a letter opener, paper cutter, pen holder, mec...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

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

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

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

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 Origi...
Category

1920s English Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

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

Art deco Porcelain Inkwell by A. Godard for Etling Paris, circa 1930
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Investing in this Art Deco Porcelain Inkwell by A. Godard for Etling Paris, circa 1930, is an opportunity to own a piece of exquisite craftsmanship that encapsulates the essence of t...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Elegant Art Deco Black & Gold Desk Tidy
Located in Lincoln, GB
Elegant Art Deco Black & Gold Desk Tidy is a stunning piece that exudes sophistication and style. Crafted from black glass, this desk tidy features intricate gold detailing that adds...
Category

20th Century British Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Beautiful Letter Stand in Art Deco with Thuja burl from the 1930s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Beautiful Letter Stand with Thuja burl from the 1930s. Very period Art Deco design. The letter stand designed with a drawer, rack for letters and pens. Wear consistent with age an...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

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

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 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

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

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

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

Art Deco Eastman Kodak Jiffy Kodak Six-20 Strut Folding Camera Rochester NY 30's
Located in High Wycombe, GB
An Art Deco Eastman Kodak Jiffy Kodak Six-20 Folding Rollfilm Camera Styled by Walter Dorwin Teague Made in Rochester NY, USA between 1933 & 1937 Takes 620 roll film Classificatio...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Must de Cartier Silver Plated Vendome Crosshatch Cisele Ball Point Pen.
Located in High Wycombe, GB
One of the all time most beautiful and unique ball point pens by Cartier, the rare 80's version Vendome Crosshatch Cisele. The pen is a special in almost every way; the cross section...
Category

1980s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

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

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

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

Daum Nancy Glass Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
This beautiful cameo glass inkwell displays the brilliance of the renowned Daum Nancy, a firm long celebrated for their masterful ability to recreate the beauty of nature in glass. A...
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Art Deco Desk Set Ink Wells & Penguin Statue French
Located in Oakland, CA
Art Deco Desk Set is a captivating blend of timeless elegance and functional design. The centerpiece of this ensemble is the charming Penguin Statue, reminiscent of the iconic design...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Metal

Addison Model 2 “Waterfall” Maroon and White Catalin Tube Radio, 1940
Located in Hampstead, QC
In 1939, Toronto-based Addison Industries Ltd., a Canadian company, was founded focussing on the production of commercial tube radios. The Model 2 “Small Addison” series, featured h...
Category

1940s Canadian Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

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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