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Desk Accessories For Sale
Style: Art Nouveau
Style: Regency
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
Italian Photo Frame Art Nouveau with Black Marble, Illumination
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Illumination is a rectangular golden silver photo frame with black marble designed by Laura G Art with Heart and it is decorated 360°, both front and back as every one of my picture frames..
A Classic Tiffany motif meanders in relief on a background of Belgian black marble stone. Each model of my photo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Silver
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
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
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
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
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 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 Nouveau Style Gilt Metal Photograph Frame. English, C.1930
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Stylish Art Nouveau style photograph frame.
Pressed tin. Original gilt
Original wooden back.
Good condition
Category
1930s English Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Tin
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
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
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
Large Swedish Globe On Wooden Stand From 1911
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A large Swedish globe from 1911 by H. Kiepert, Swedish version by "Arvid Kempe" for "Wahlström & Widstrand". Stockholm, dated 1911. Cartographer "D. Reimers in Berlin. This large glo...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Inkwell 254
By Georg Jensen
Located in Hellerup, DK
An antique Georg Jensen sterling silver inkwell and matching pen, design #254 by Georg Jensen in 1918. The rectangular base is meticulously hand-hammered, showcasing a finely crafted...
Category
1920s European Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
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
Antique English Silver & Tortoiseshell Inkwell
Located in Northampton, GB
Grey & Co Silver
From our Accessories collection, we are pleased to offer this Antique English Silver & Tortoiseshell Inkwell. The Inkwell of globular shape with a quilt cut glass ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century Regency style Copper Desktop Stationery Box
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique letter box. The box comes from England and dates from about 1900. The box has a walnut interior with four compartments. The outsid...
Category
1890s English Regency Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Copper
Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Antique Wax Seal
Located in Seguin, TX
Antique sterling silver handle for wax seal. New old stock, the owner would have an engraved stamp made to attach to the handle. Send your correspondence off with style! Beautiful Ar...
Category
Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Pocket Watch Desk Inkwell
Located in Northampton, GB
The Inkwell of square shape made from glass with hand cut diamond quilt pattern to the exterior. The lid of the inkwell mounted with a Sterling Silver hinged lid is hallmarked to the...
Category
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Art Nouveau Inkwell, Signed Gaston Bigard, 1910s, France
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional beautiful inkwell by the french artist and sculptor Gaston Bigard.
Signed at the lid "BIGARD".
Ceramic with authentic craquele lacquer and a brass lid with beautiful Art ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Antique Art Nouveau Inkwell, Bronze Doré, France, 1900s
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful Art Nouveau Inkwell from France, 1900- 1920s.
This special inkwell is decorated all over with typical Art Nouveau ornaments. The attention to detail is reflected in the pen...
Category
20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Art Nouveau Wine Leaf Dish & Letter Opener in Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A naturalistic perceived French pattern from the 1910s this ornate set was made by Gørtler E. Albersen in Denmark during the 1930s or 40s. Both parts are made from solid heavy stock ...
Category
1940s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
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
Art Nouveau Ink Extinguishing Cradle, France, Circa 1920
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful antique Ink Extinguishing Cradle, France, circa 1920.
Original Art Nouveau hand-painted depiction of a woman´s face.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Art Nouveau Brass Ink Extinguishing Cradle, France, Circa 1930
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful antique Ink Extinguishing Cradle, France, circa 1930.
Nicely chiseled depiction of a woman´s face in a typical Art Nouveau manner.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
art nouveau pewter inkwell, glass bucket, circa 1900
Located in Mouscron, WHT
art nouveau pewter inkwell, glass bucket, circa 1900
Category
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Eugène Feuillâtre "Pavot" Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
This stunning enamel, silvered metal, and gilt metal "Pavot" inkwell by Eugène Feuillâtre features peacock feather embellishments. The Inkwell lies under the gilded and silvered metal poppy seed pod lid, to which the title pavot (translated to English as poppy) refers. The vessel is vaguely pumpkin-shaped with negative space in a honeydew green, with white peacock feathers featuring purple and turquoise details.
Product Details:
Item #: S-21164
Artist: Eugène Feuillâtre
Country: France
Circa: 1900
Dimensions: 2.25" height, 3.5" diameter
Materials: Enamel, Silvered Metal, Gilt Metal
Signed: impressed Feuillâtre
Exhibition History: Examples of this inkwell can be found in the permanent collections of Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, Geneva (inv. no. E 01500), Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris (inv. no. 8746), and Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg (inv. no. 1966.1). Salon des Artistes français, 1898.
Literature: L. Bénédite, et. al., "Exposition Universelle de 1900: Les Beaux-Arts et les Arts Decoratifs," Gazette des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1900, p. 510 (for a related example). H. Frantz, "E. Feuillatre, Emailleur," L’Art Décoratif, no. 28, Paris, January 1901, p. 166 (for a related example). C. Saunier, "Céramique, Verrerie, Émail," L’Art Décoratif, no. 34, Paris, July 1901, p. 155 (for a related example). R. Marx, La Décoration et les Industries d'Art à l'Exposition Universelle de 1900, Paris, 1901, p. 95 (for a related example). M. P. Verneuil, "L'Émail et les Émailleures," Art et Décoration, no. 2, Paris, February 1904, pp. 37-39 (for a related example). M. Rheims, L'Objet 1900, Paris, 1964, p. 34, no. 18 (for a related example). P. Garner, ed., The Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts 1890-1940, New York, 1978, p. 95 (for a related example). Die Jugendstil - Sammlung: Band 1: Künstler A-F, exh. cat., Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, 1979, pp. 465-466, cat. no. 655. A. Duncan, The Paris Salons 1895-1914, Volume V: Objets d'Art & Metalware, Suffolk, 1994, p. 252 (for related examples). G. de Bartha, L'Art 1900: La Collection Neumann, New York, 1994, p. 128 (for a related example). J. T. Busch and C. L. Futter, Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851-1939, exh. cat., Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, 2012, p. 196, no. 9 (for a related example).
Macklowe Gallery Curator's Notes:
Eugène Feuillâtre’s career began in René Lalique’s enamelling...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze and Slag Glass Letter Rack
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Nouveau period "Grapevine" letter rack
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 10"W x 2.5"D x 6.25"H.
Good...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
A Regency tortoiseshell and ivory desk set
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Regency tortoiseshell and ivory desk set, of shaped rectangular form with two glass inkwells, an ivory pot and two ivory pen holders above a curved pen tra...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Ivory, Tortoise Shell
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
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 inlaid abalone rocker ink blotter
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 6"W x 3"D x 1.75"H.
Very go...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Art Nouveau Frog Inkwell by Émile Müller
By Emile Müller
Located in Chicago, US
Émile Müller (21st september 1823 – 11th november 1889) was the architect of the workers housing estate in Mulhouse. He founded the “Grande Tuilerie” in Ivry Port (Seine), in 1854. A...
Category
1880s French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Earthenware
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
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré and Abalone Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Nouveau period gilt bronze and inlaid abalone inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, early 20th century
Measures: 3.63"W x 3.63"D x 2.75"H.
Very good original v...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré and Abalone Pen Brush
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Nouveau or Art Deco period gilt bronze inlaid abalone pen brush or pen wipe
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 2.25"W x 2.25"D x 2.25"H....
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Bronze Doré and Abalone Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Art Nouveau period gilt bronze and inlaid abalone pen tray
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 8.75"W x 2.63"D x 0.38"H.
Good original vinta...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Opaline and Brass inkwell by Tiffany Studio, Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Opaline and Brass inkwell by Tiffany Studio, Early 20th Century.
Gilded brass and opaline inkwell by Tiffany Studio, early 20th century, Art Nouveau p...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Opal, Brass
Antique Officer's Campaign Correspondence Box, English, Writing Case, Regency
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique officer’s campaign correspondence box. An English, flame mahogany and leather writing case, dating to the Regency period, ...
Category
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Wood
Gilt Art Nouveau Portrait Casket Double Inkwell WMF (Attrib.)
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gilt Art Nouveau Portrait Casket Double Inkwell WMF (Attrib.)
Germany, Circa 1900s
Attributed to WMF” Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
A gilt Art Nouveau portrait casket double i...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
1920s French Art Nouveau Three Bronze Hinged Apples and Pear Trinket Boxes
Located in Haarlem, NL
Antique hinged bronze patinated apples and a pear trinket boxes on a twig with leaves, to keep or collect your little trinkets in.
They used to be called bed-apple or bed-pear, and they were used for putting your jewellery in on your nightstand before going to bed...
Category
1920s French Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Art Nouveau Brass and Bone Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris, this lovely Brass and bone art nouveau letter opener has a beautiful patina that will give your desk or work space a new sense of sophistic...
Category
19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Stoneware Inkwell by Louis Dage, 20th Century
By Louis Dage
Located in Lisbon, PT
A blue, green and gold stoneware desk writing set with four pieces and golden bronze details, with “L DAGE Grés Manganése “ marks at the bottom.
Beauti...
Category
20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
French Paperweight with Purple Flower Arrangement of St. Louis, 1910
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
French Paperweight with Purple Flower Arrangement of St. Louis, 1910
Additional information:
Dimensions: 7.5 W x 7.5 D x 6 H cm
Period of Time: 1910
Country of origin: France
Cond...
Category
20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze Blotter Corners
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze "Grapevine" blotter corners
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Each measures: 5.75"W x 5.75"D x 0....
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau 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
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze and Slag Glass Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Nouveau period "Grapevine" inkwell
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 4.13"W x 4.13"D x 3.75"H.
Very good original vintage cond...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Kralik Loetz Art Nouveau Iridescent Glass Inkwell
By Loetz Glass
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique iridescent purple glass inkwell by Kralik in the "Pampas" decor, i.e. a Kralik decor shift on Loetz Pampas. Lobed square form with typical trailed...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Rare Antique Bronze Inkwell By Joseph D´Aste (1881-1945), Young Boy and Goose
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful inkwell by the artist and sculptor Joseph D´Aste.
Nicely chiseled bronze work on a red marble base.
In the middle of the plinth is a boy holding gently a goose in his arms.
Right and left of the boy are the two inkwells with original inlets made of porcelain. In the marble base is a space espacially for the fountain pen.
The bronze is signed at the back "J. D´Aste".
D´Aste was born in Naples, Italy in 1881.
He moved to Paris around 1900, exhibited at the Salon from 1905.
He produced numerous groups and statuettes of children, mostly depicting popular and rural scenes, as well as animal studies...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Grapevine Bronze and Slag Glass Pen Tray, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Nouveau period "Grapevine" pen tray
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 9.75"W x 3"D x 0.75"H.
Very good original vintage condit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Art Nouveau Letter Opener, Elephants
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener with Elephants.
So beautiful, very nice condition!
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Typewriter/ Remington 10S USA, 1920s
Located in Praha, CZ
The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the age of use.
Made in USA
Serial number Z192196
Fully functional
Made of metal, steel, chrome, fabric.
Go...
Category
1920s American Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Rare Handcrafted Regency Rosewood Leather Fold-out Stationary Writing Slope
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Beautiful & Luxurious Handcrafted Regency Bramah Rosewood Fold-out Travelling Writing Companion With Fitted Leather Interior, Ceramic Blotting Tablets.
Complete with Beautifully De...
Category
19th Century British Regency Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Rare Regency Rosewood Writing Slope With Decorative Brass Trim by Wells & Lambe
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Handcrafted 19th Century Rosewood Veneer Writing Slope With A Tooled Purple Leather Writing Liner. Item Featured Brass Carry Handles & Is Finished With A Decorative Brass Inlay. Manu...
Category
19th Century British Regency Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Antique Regency Campaign Writing Slope Brass Mounts, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An elegant Regency brass mounted Gonçalo Alves campaign writing slope, circa 1820 in date.
The beautifully polished goncalo alves case has a ...
Category
1820s Regency Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
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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