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Desk Accessories

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

Early 1900s Russian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Neoclassical Rococo Reticulated Foliate Gilt Bronze Cameo Letter Holder 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Neoclassical Rococo Reticulated Foliate Form Gilt Bronze Letter Holder with Cameo, 20thC Measures- 11.5''H x 10''W x 4.5''D
Category

20th Century Neoclassical 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 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

Neoclassical Style Metal Tissue Box Cover
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style and the finishing touch to your countertop or nightstand with this antiqued gold toned top and grey ribbed metal body tissue box cover to pr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

English Bronze 'His Royal Highness Prince Albert' Commemorative Desk Clip
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English Bronze 'His Royal Highness Prince Albert' Commemorative Desk Clip England, early 20th century A distinguished English bronze 'His Royal Highness Prince Albert' Commemorative...
Category

Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Silver Inkwell For Czar Nicholas
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite inkwell by the legendary Grachev Brothers was made for Czar Nicholas of Russia. Featuring intricately cut glass in a star pattern, the inkwell rests upon an exquisite ...
Category

Late 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

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

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

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

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 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 Lion Inkwell Desk Inkstand Napoleon French c1890
Located in Mimizan, FR
Antique Lion Inkwell Desk Inkstand French c1890 Handsome Lion Bronze Good condition with minor signs of wear for its age.
Category

1890s French Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

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

Wedgwood Jasperware Black Basalt & White Jewelry Dish Neoclassical, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
An English Wedgwood Jasperware black basalt and white stoneware rectangular jewelry dish with Neoclassical design, 1963, England. Piece is a matte bla...
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Pottery, Stoneware

Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish with Neoclassical Design, circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware small rectangular jewelry dish with Neoclassical design, 1961, England. Piece is a matte stoneware in a light green with a white Neoclassical raised relief at center and leaf design around edge. Great as a standalone piece or for a vanity, dresser, desk, etc., to hold jewelry or other small items. With maker's mark "Wedgwood", "Made in England", "61", on bottom as shown in last two images. Dimensions: 3.19" Depth x 6" Width. Lavender Jasperware urn...
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Stoneware, Pottery

English Regency Walnut Traveling Lap Desk Box with Secret Compartment
Located in Savannah, GA
19th century English Regency traveling lap writing desk with original brass corner mounts and hardware, including lock and key. Outstanding sti...
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

English Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish with Neoclassical Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware sage green and white round jewelry dish with neoclassical design, circa 20th century, 1979, England...
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Stoneware

English Regency Inkwell in Patinated Bronze and Ormolu with Dolphin Mount
Located in London, GB
English Regency patinated bronze and ormolu double inkwell. Set upon a rectangular base with mercury gilt ormolu moulding of "stiff leaf and dart" design. The inkwell holder itself, ...
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Russian 1915 Moscow Nephrite Jade Desk Picture Frame Mounted in Gilded Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Nephrite jade and gilded silver desk frame. Beautiful neo classic desk picture frame, created in Moscow Russia, back in the 1915. Carefully crafted in the Russian imperial and Louis XVI style, with solid gilded silver, translucent nephrite green jade...
Category

1910s Russian Neoclassical Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Jade, Silver

Late 19th Century Large Walnut Carved Desk Letter/Stationery Rack
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A large antique letter rack, made of carved wood. The wickerwork is also made of carved wood. With three compartments. Made in France around 1890-1...
Category

1890s French Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Gilt Bronze Lion Head Form Ashtray / Catchall with Glass Eyes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and rare french lion head form ashtray or catchall having glass eyes. Very unique piece with some wear and minor loss to verso - not observed whe...
Category

Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Gold Leaf

French 1890 Etui Sealing Wax Case with Guilloche Blue Enamel in Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
French etui sealing wax case. Exquisite objet d'art, created in Paris France in the late 19th century, circa 1890. This is a etui sealing wax case, mast...
Category

1890s French Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Henrik Wigström Russia Imperial 1915 Red Enamel Picture Frame In Gilded Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
Presentation picture frame from the imperial Russia. Beautiful neo classic picture desk frame, created in Moscow Russia, back in the 1910's. It was carefully crafted in the Russia...
Category

1910s Russian Neoclassical Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Silver, Enamel

19th Century Gilt Bronze Eagle Fragment on White Marble Stand, Italy
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Italian gilt bronze sculpture of an eagle on a rectangular white Carrera piece of marble. The high quality of the gilt work and the early age makes the eagl...
Category

1810s Italian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

French 1819-1838 Neoclassical Louis XVI Rectangular Snuff Box Labrated 18kt Gold
Located in Miami, FL
French snuff box in solid gold. Exceptional rectangular snuff box, crafted in Paris France during the second monarchic restoration period, between the 1818 and 1838. It was carefully crafted in the neoclassical Louis XVI style in solid yellow gold of 18 karats. Fitted with a hinged lid and embellished with intricate chiseled, engraved and guilloche finishes, Monogramed AS inside the counterpart of the lid. Weight: 1l7.75 Grams, (75.48 Dwt). Measurements: 89 mm by 54 mm by 20 mm (3.5 x 2.13 x 0.79 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with ancient French marks; the Zeus head...
Category

1830s French Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold

Rare Antique English Regency Rosewood & Brass Writing Slope Box Lap Desk
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A RARE AND FINE REGENCY ROSEWOOD WRITING SLOPE England, circa 1815; includes a circa 1849 quill by Isaac Parkes Item # 801EZX27 An inordinately fine box, the exterior is dressed wit...
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Rare Early 19th Century George IV English Porcelain Inkwell by Coalport
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Rare early 19th century George IV English porcelain inkwell by Coalport in the naturalistic form. Referred to as ‘Coalbrookdale’ this piece has been modeled in the form of a lemon fr...
Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Charles & Richard Comyns 1920 London Neo Classic Carriage Table Clock in Sterlin
Located in Miami, FL
Travel carriage clock designed by Charles & Richard Comyns. Beautiful small travel-desk clock, created by the top notch and prestigious silversmith company of Charles & Richard Co...
Category

1920s English Neoclassical Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique French Gilt Bronze Inkwell on Rouge Marble Stand, 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique French gilt bronze inkwell on rouge marble stand. It is of superb quality and features a central figure of Diana The Huntress. Provenance: From the estate of Texas Oil...
Category

19th Century Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Pair Wedgwood Blue and White Jasperware Desk Accessories
Located in New York, NY
Pair Wedgwood blue and white Jasperware desk accessories. Beautiful blue grey bisque beaker/bud-vase with cream-ivory neoclassical bas relief, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Stoneware

19th Century Polychrome Sculpture of a Roman Woman
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Italian original painted plaster sculpture of a young Roman woman in nice gilt dress and flower wreath. This well sculptured smiling lady cou...
Category

1880s Italian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Plaster

Tiffany & Co. Porcelain Lidded Trinket Box Designed for Tauck World France
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tiffany & Co. porcelain round trinket box. Tiffany & Co. porcelain round map box designed for Tauck World, Made In France. The porcelain lid cover is dec...
Category

Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

English Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish with Neoclassical Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware sage green and white round jewelry dish with neoclassical design, circa 20th century, 1979, England...
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Stoneware

19th Century English Sheffield Silver Plate Lyre Shaped Letter Rack Holder
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique English silverplate lyre shaped letter holder by Thomas Bradbury of Sheffield, dated 1872. Hallmarks on base. This beautiful letter rack has a Neoclassical design wi...
Category

19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

18th/19th Century English Regency Plum Pudding Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality Regency Era / Georgian Period tea caddy set in sumptuous plum-pudding mahogany. Exquisitely hand-crafted in England at the turn of the late 18th / early 19th century,...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Velvet, Cut Glass, Boxwood, Mahogany, Satinwood

A Norwegian Porphyry Sphere
Located in Spencertown, NY
The purple/white stone in the shape of a sphere
Category

Mid-19th Century Norwegian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Porphyry

Pair of Faux Malachite and Brass Obelisks
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Faux malachite and brass obelisks. Fantastic pair of vintage faux malachite and brass obelisks. This beautiful pair of midcentury obelisks are a pair but in the spirit of na...
Category

1980s Unknown Neoclassical Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

English Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish with Neoclassical Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English Wedgwood Jasperware sage green and white round jewelry dish with neoclassical design, circa 20th century, 1979, England...
Category

20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Stoneware, Pottery, Ceramic

Turn of the Century French Bronze Sculpture
Located in High Point, NC
Made at the turn of the century in France, this bronze sculpture exudes a sense of peaceful contemplation. The detailed form depicts a seated woman, clothed in flowing robes. In one hand, dropped at her side, she holds a mirror; her face is turned away in a gesture of pensive serenity. The burnished patina of the bronze lends a gentle glow to the curves of her body and the raised folds of the cloth...
Category

Early 1900s French Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Large Silvered Lion Sculpture, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
An early 20th century Silverplated Lion. This particular example very well modelled. Mounted over a Portoro Italian marble base. Perfect size to...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Metal

Early 19th Century Bronze and Ormolu Encrier
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century bronze and ormolu Encrier having lyre and flower handle flanked by engine-turned inkwells with penholders, raised on platform base ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique English Blue John or Derbyshire Spar Egg Shaped Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique paperweight. Comprised of Blue John (also known as Derbyshire Spar), a rare form of fluorite from England with distinct purple & yell...
Category

Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Precious Stone

Venus de Milo White Granite Marble Female Figurative Statue Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful white granite marble reproduction of Greek goddess 'Venus de Milo' female figure statue sculpture in the Neoclassical style, circa early 20th century, Italy. A great deco...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Granite, Marble

19th Century French Neo-Classical Style Gilt Bronze Desk Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French gilt bronze inkwell. Perfect coffee table art or desk statement piece. It is in very good condition and unmarked.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Pocket Watch, Jaqs Blanc, Gold, Enamel, Etc. Possibly ca Late 18th C
Located in Madrid, ES
Pocket watch, Jaqs Blanc. gold, enamel, etc. Possibly towards the end of the 18th century. Pocket watch with a white dial and Arabic numerals for the hours and lines and Arabic num...
Category

Late 18th Century Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Gold, Enamel, Other

Rare Antique Regency Travelling Writing Box, English c 1810-1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
A rare Regency writing desk box made in solid ebony. Original leather with natural age-related patina. Original fittings and locks. In good condi...
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Pocket Watch, Deroches Brothers, Gilded Metal, Enamels, Etc. P Late 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pocket watch, Deroches Brothers. Gilded metal, enamels, etc. Possibly towards the end of the 18th century. Pocket watch with a case with a transparent glass part and a composition ...
Category

Late 18th Century European Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Other

Grand Tour Of Italy Souvenir, Carrara Marble Cameo Paperweight c19th Century
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Intriguing 19th century Grand Tour carved Carrara marble cameo depicting a strong male profile, possibly the Italian poet Dante Alighieri Antique Italian...
Category

19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Carrara Marble

Scacchiera in Plexiglas Vintage Design 1970, Art
Located in Foggia, FG
Scacchiera in Plexiglas Vintage Design 1970 - Art - Anno: 1970 circa Materiali: Plexiglas Condizioni: Buone leggera filatura alla base Mis...
Category

1970s Italian American Classical Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Plexiglass

Malachite Jewelry Box with Cameo Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial green Malachite decorative or jewelry box, circa late-20th century. Box is rectangular in shape with resin female cameo detail on top lid. Piece is beautifully hand-crafted. Piece makes a great decorative or storage jewelry box to hold small items or jewelry such as necklaces (as demonstrated), rings, earring, cufflinks, etc., on a vanity, nightstand, dresser, desk, credenza, walk-in-closet, etc. Dimensions: 2.25" Height x 2.38" Width x 3.32" Depth. Other boxes shown available separately; search 1stDibs ref. #s: Purple Charoite box...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

Game of Chess and Checkers Designed by the Architect Antonella Fonda
Located in Foggia, FG
Game of chess and checkers designed by the architect Antonella Fonda. Chess and checkers have been finely crafted by specialists in the processing of hi...
Category

1980s Italian American Classical Vintage Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Chessboard Brass, Stainless Steel, Bakelite, Original from 1970-Design
Located in Foggia, FG
Chessboard brass, stainless steel, Bakelite, original from 1970 -Design- Year: 1970s Materials: Brass, stainless steel, bakelite Condition: Excellent Measurements: Chessb...
Category

Early 20th Century European American Classical Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Victorian Silver Card Case Trinket and Snuff Box Regency Grand Tour 19ct
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Example of a Ladies Well Figure Tortoise Shell Silver Framed Hinged Lid Card Case of generous proportions, made during the first half of the Nineteenth Century. The rectangular hinged cover with lavish silver inlay depicting a trailing branch of flowers and foliage. Condition: Good condition for such an early piece with no losses to inlays, nice surface patination to tortoiseshell. The case closes firmly. Width: (at widest, just over) 5.5" (14cm). Depth: 3” (8cm). ----------------------------------- An oval well figured horn trinket box with separate lid, late Nineteenth Century Condition: Perfect condition, lid closes firmly Width: 4.5” (11.5cms). Depth: 2.25” (5.5cms). ------------------------------------ Rectangular well figured Tortoiseshell hinged lid trinket or snuff box, possibly Regency period Condition: Tiny loss at one corner, otherwise excellent. Width: (just under) 3.5” (8.5cms). ------------------------------------ Rectangular horn and Tortoiseshell Snuff Box...
Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

19th-C. French Neo-Classical Style Gilt Bronze Ram Form Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-19th century French gilt bronze neo-classical style ram form inkwell. It has dual rams to possibly hold the writing instrument.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Cristal Saint Louis Ivoire de Balmain Collectible Perfume Decanter/Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Cristal Saint Louis cut crystal decanter of Ivoire de Balmain perfume. The bottle is urn shaped and it is a faceted clear crystal. There is...
Category

20th Century French Neoclassical Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

English Regency Mahogany Travelling Lap Desk Box with Secret Compartment
Located in Savannah, GA
Large size English Regency mahogany travelling sloped lap desk/ box with original brass corner mounts, hinges, pin, top mount and retractable handles. Features include a side drawer,...
Category

Early 1800s English Regency Antique Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Horse Equine Sterling Silver Plate Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
A substantial sterling silver plate letter opener with horse head handle made by Reed & Barton, circa mid-20th century, USA. A great desk, office, library, etc., accessory. With make...
Category

Mid-20th Century American American Classical Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

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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