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Desk Accessories For Sale
Style: Neoclassical
Style: Rococo
Emancipation Proclamation Inkstand - 19th Century Heavily Chased Brass
Located in Atlanta, GA
Any collectors of American history should look closely at this listing.
"In the summer of 1862 President Abraham Lincoln sat at a desk in the War Department telegraph office and wit...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Set of four 18th Century Blue and White Delft Tiles Framed in Custom Iron Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of four 18th Century Blue and White Delft Tiles Framed in Custom Iron Frame
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
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
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
Louis XV Style Inkwell, Designed by Léon Messagé and Cast By Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Rare Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Inkwell. Designed by Léon Messagé and Cast By The Ferdinand Barbedienne Foundry, Paris.
Designed in the exuberant Rococo style surmounted by a sea...
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Ormolu
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
French Blue Gold and White Porcelain Desk Letter Mail Holder from Paris
Located in New York, NY
A French white porcelain desk letter or mail holder with small flowers and leaves in the Rococo design style, circa mid-20th century, Paris, France. Piece with scalloped edge is hand...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Rococo Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
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
Wedgwood Jasperware Black Basalt & White Jewelry Dish Neoclassical, 1960s
By Wedgwood
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
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
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
Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish with Neoclassical Design, circa 1960s
By Wedgwood
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
Antique French Solid Silver Gilt Rococo Style Inkwell / Stand, Emile Puiforcat
Located in London, GB
We are delighted to offer this magnificent French silver gilt inkstand made circa late 19th/early 20th century by one of the most important Parisian silversmiths: Puiforcat.
Puifo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Pair Wedgwood Blue and White Jasperware Desk Accessories
By Wedgwood
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
Antique French Rococo Style Gilt Pewter and Porcelain Inkwell Signed Chatelain
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique French Rococo style gilt pewter and porcelain inkwell from circa 1900, marked "Chatelain".
This beautifully shaped gilt pewter inkwell is adorned with flowers in the center ...
Category
Early 1900s French Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
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
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
French Bronze “Looking for Milk” Inkwell circa 1880 Style of Henri Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Bronze “Looking for Milk” Inkwell circa 1880 Style of Henri Picard.
French, circa 1880. A finely cast inkwell or storage box constructed in two parts. The top having a young ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
English Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish with Neoclassical Design
By Wedgwood
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
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
English Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish with Neoclassical Design
By Wedgwood
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
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 Antique French Inkwell in Gilded Brass and Porcelain
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful Antique 19th century painted and gilded brass inkwell. Floral motif with pink rose on handle. 'Made in France' on underside.
Category
19th Century French Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
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
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 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
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
English Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry Dish with Neoclassical Design
By Wedgwood
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
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
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
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
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
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
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
Historical American Civil War Era Wire Frame Magnifying Eye Glass Spectacles
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A delicate pair of handmade magnifying wire rim eye glasses from the American Civil War era, circa 1860.
A great looking historical conversation p...
Category
Mid-19th Century American American Classical Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
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
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
Italian Shelf Depicting the Roman Emperor from the Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Decorated wood shelf
Date/Period: 20th century
Dimension: 50cm x 45cm 35cm
Materials: Wood
Additional information: Italian shelf depicting the Roman emperor from the early...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
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
Bronze inkwell George Josef Burgstaller (German/Austrian)
By George Josef Burgstaller
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bronze inkwell Georg Josef BURGSTALLER
(German/Austrian)
Neo classical woman signed Burgstaller
ruge marble.
Category
1890s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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
Ceramic Inkwell, Talavera De La Reina, Spain, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Talavera Inkwell, 18th century. Glazed pottery
Talavera ceramic inkwell, decorated with cobalt blue enamel on a white tin slip
with restorations"
Size: 16 x 16 x 7 cms.
Category
18th Century Spanish Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
Antique Bronze Marble Inkwell Desk Serpent Inkstand French c1880 FREE SHIPPING
Located in Mimizan, FR
Antique bronze marble inkwell desk crystal inkstand French c1880
Unusual serpent base
Bronze on variegated marble base
Holds pen across the top
With crystal inkwell
Free Shipping to...
Category
1880s French Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
Silver Desk Writing Set, Platerías Martínez, Madrid, Spain, 1845
Located in Madrid, ES
Scribe with three inkwells. Silver. Real Martínez silver factory, Madrid, 1845.
With contrast marks.
Notary of silver in its color composed of a rectangular tray with raised and op...
Category
1840s Spanish Neoclassical Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
George III Period Rococo Sterling Silver Wax Jack, Desk Accessory, 1767
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1767 by John Langford II & John Sebille, this elegant, Antique Sterling Silver Wax Jack, is in the Rococo taste, standing on three fee...
Category
1760s English Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Game of Chess and Checkers Designed by the Architect Antonella Fonda
By Alfons Bach
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
By Willy Rizzo
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
Pair of stirrups. Carved wood, iron. Chile, 18th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of stirrups. Carved wood, iron. Chile, 18th century.
Pair of stirrups made up of a carved wooden block, in the shape of a crescent on the front, and decorated on the outside wi...
Category
18th Century Chilean Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
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
Enamel Miniatures Living Room and Piano Set
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Enamel miniatures living room and piano set
Origin Vienna, Austria Circa 1900
Enamel and bronze materials
The piano is a music box (it works)
The general condition is very good. ...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Rococo Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Enamel
Collection of Table Ornaments 19th and 20th Century, Cut Crystal, Gilt Bronze
Located in Buchanan, MI
A collection of table ornaments, cut crystal gilt bronze
19th and 20th century, priced per item.
Height of tallest 20 1/4 inches.
Category
19th Century English American Classical Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique, New and Vintage Desk Accessories
Whether you’ve carved out a space for a nifty home office or you prefer the morning commute, why not dress up your desk with antique and vintage desk accessories? To best tiptoe the line between desk efficiency and desk enjoyment, we suggest adding a touch of the past to your modern-day space.
Desks are a funny thing. Their basic premise has remained the same for quite literally centuries: a flat surface, oftentimes a drawer, and potentially a shelf or two. However, the contents that lay upon the desk? Well, the evolution has been drastic to say the least.
Thank the Victorians for the initial popularity of the paperweight. The Industrial Revolution offered the novel concept of leisure-time to Europeans, giving them more time to take part in the then crucial activity of letter writing. Decorative glass paperweight designs were all the rage, and during the mid-19th-century some of the most popular makers included the French companies of Baccarat, St. Louis and Clichy.
As paper was exceedingly expensive in the early to mid-19th-century, every effort was made to utilize a full sheet of it. Paper knives, which gave way to the modern letter opener, were helpful for cutting paper down to an appropriate size.
Books — those bound volumes of paper, you may recall — used to be common occurrences on desks of yore and where there were books there needed to be bookends. As a luxury item, bookend designs have run the gamut from incorporating ultra-luxurious materials (think marble and Murano glass) to being whimsical desk accompaniments (animal figurines were highly popular choices).
Though the inkwell’s extinction was ushered in by the advent of the ballpoint pen (itself quasi-obsolete at this point), there is still significant charm to be had from placing one of these bauble-like objets in a central spot on one’s desk. You may be surprised to discover the mood-boosting powers an antique — and purposefully empty — inkwell can provide.
The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass-production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier.
Find antique and vintage desk accessories today on 1stDibs.
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