Modern Paperweights
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4.75 inches, width 4.25 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stone
$270 Sale Price
40% Off
FERMACHE WITH TRILOBITE real fossil of the Paleozoic Era to admire and use #1
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
On a polished metal base lies a magnificent fossil of authentic trilobite that appears to be resting on top of a rock. Today, this exceptional marine organism lived millions of y...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stone, Brass
FERMACARTE WITH AMMONITE contemporary design with authentic fossil shell #2
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Thought of as paperweight for an eclectic desk or bookcase shelf, this delightful little unique sculpture transcends functionality to also be an exclusive and unique piece of fur...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Brass
Clear Modern Sculptural Glass Object Sculpture or Paperweight Table Decor
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Modern sculptural glass object. Very heavy. The base is a rounded hexagon shape and very solid. Solid short blunt glass rods protrude from the base. A beautiful sculptural piece to a...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Paperweights
Materials
Glass, Blown Glass
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
"Love me Now" Marble Heart Gift by On Entropy in White Marble
By on entropy
Located in Athens, GR
"Love me Now" is a marble item designed to evoke the senses. It is shaped as an off-centered heart with a longer tail. Its finish and tactile surface make it a hearty volume, which i...
Category
2010s Greek Modern Paperweights
Materials
Marble
$238 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Nickel-plated Brass and Blue Agate Geode Paperweight - Fossiline Collection
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
This elegant paperweight is part of the Fossiline collection, a line of decorative objects that enhance the beauty of natural stones.
The square polished nickel-plated brass base acc...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Agate, Brass
Green Glass Pear Paperweights
Located in Queens, NY
2 Light green tinted glass pear paperweight (PRICED EACH)
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Paperweights
Materials
Glass
$250 / item
Signed Glass Abstract Paperweight Red, Black, Orange, Gold, White For Desk
Located in North Miami, FL
This abstract art glass artisan paperweight is signed in cursive on the underside N Laso. It has bars of glass sticks in rows of red, black and white, orange copper rust and a gold small bat...
Category
1990s American Modern Paperweights
Materials
Gold
Sculptural Desktop Pen Holder by Jiri Jelinek
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Art glass hand-carved, pen holder / paper weight featuring etched linear motif and layered red glass stripe by Jiri Jelinek.
Jiri Jelinek (b. 1967, Cze...
Category
2010s American Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
Gold Plated Boy Holding a Large Jade Sphere on a Carrara Marble Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A square Carrara Marble base with a Gold Plated child holding a large Jade Sphere.
The piece is unique and different - a compliment to many spaces. Works well on a desk or work sta...
Category
20th Century European Modern Paperweights
Materials
Carrara Marble
Kosta Boda Green and Clear Art Glass Collectable Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Sweden round green and clear glass paperweight. Vicke Lindstrand Kosta style Swedish art glass paperweight. Beautiful vintage glass art paperweight with multi sized controlled bubbles in green and clear accenting the close concentric complex. Hand blown bubble design Scandinavian Modern Art glass paperweight...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Glass
Gucci Desk Paperweight
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci desk paperweight from the 1980s, this elegant piece is based on an anthrazite metal base and an acrylic stand, attributed to Tom Ford.
Category
1990s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Metal
Set of 2 Aluminum Luna Paper Weights by Stem Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Aluminum Luna Paper Weights by Stem Design
Dimensions: Ø 8 x H 3 cm.
Materials: Aluminum.
Finish: Tumbled and burnished.
Weight: 0,3 kg (each.)
Finished and assembled by hand in India. Also available in Brass. Please contact us.
Sand-cast in solid metal, the Luna paperweight is a minimal object with a
strong character. Surface pitting and production marks developed through the
casting process are left untreated to retain the material’s richness, to allow for a more profound interaction. Luna has a timeless ornamental quality that is both decorative and functional.
The objects layers on as a metaphor and showcases the beauty of being who you are. It strips off all the layers of ornamentation and artificial finishes to build an immediate and intuitive connection with the product that lasts a lifetime.
Stem is a contemporary Indian product...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Aluminum
Solid Wood Paperweight Set – BULLET
Located in Orlando, FL
Handcrafted solid wood office accessories stand out with their elegant and natural design, shaped through expert craftsmanship. Infused with the natural scent of cedar, this stylish ...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Glass Pear in Ruby
Located in Richmond, VA
Sculptural glass pear, handmade in Auckland, New Zealand by artist Devyn Ormsby. Individually cast from a true to size winter pear into a solid, crystal glass form.
The elegant pear...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Paperweights
Materials
Crystal
Wooden Christmas Tree Mega FIR – Cedar, 62 cm
Located in Orlando, FL
The solid cedar Christmas tree is made entirely from natural cedar wood and adds an elegant touch to your holiday decor with its minimalist design. Inspired by the form of the fir tr...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Wood, Oak
Pair of Bookends Balls, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of bookends balls, 20th century"
Pair of Bookends forming two marble balls on a stand, 20th Century decorative object.
Category
20th Century European Modern Paperweights
Materials
Marble
$426 / set
FERMACHE WITH TRILOBITE real fossil of the Paleozoic Era to admire and use #2
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
On a basis in polished metal lies a magnificent fossil of genuine trilobite that seems to rest on top of a rock. Today, this exceptional marine organism lived millions of years ago...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Stone, Brass
Paperweight with Authentic Ammonite - Elegant and Unique Design
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Add a touch of history and sophistication to your desk with this unique paperweight with authentic ammonite, a one-of-a-kind piece that combines natural charm with modern design. Amm...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Brass
Vintage Kosta Boda Art Glass Paperweight by Erik Hoglund
Located in Sacramento, CA
Vintage cobalt blue Kosta Boda art glass paperweight by Erik Hoglund, featuring a woman’s head and torso. In excellent vintage condition.
Diamete...
Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Art Glass
FERMACHE WITH AMMONITE real fossil from the rounded Paleozoic Era biege #1
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
An authentic ammonite with a round shape and elegant biege color shades that become clearer toward the center, revives today in a elegant paperweight, unique and unrepeatable.
The ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Brass
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Fingers Letter Holder with Granite Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze legs letter holder by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a patinated bronze set of fingers that are separated to store envelo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Granite, Bronze
FERMACHE WITH AMMONITE - real fossil of the Paleozoic Era rounded biege #3
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
An authentic ammonite with a round shape and elegant biege color shades that become lighter toward the center, revives in an elegant unique and unrepeatable paperweight.
The uniqu...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Brass
FERMACARTE WITH AMMONITE contemporary design with authentic fossil shell #1
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Thought of as paperweight for an eclectic desk or bookcase shelf, this delightful small and unique sculpture, exceeds functionality to be also a piece of furniture exclusive and...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Brass
FERMACHE WITH AMMONITE - real fossil of the Paleozoic Era rounded biege #2
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
A genuine ammonite with rounded shape and elegant biege color shades that become clearer toward the center, revives today in an elegant unique and unrepeatable paperweight.
The ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Brass
Horn 1 Sculpture by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Horn 1 sculpture by Fakasaka Design
Dimensions: W 8 cm D 6 cm H 7 cm
Materials: polished bronze.
Horn 1
Paper weight / sculpture
FAKASAKA is a de...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Bronze
$238 / item
“Revolve” No.S5 (made to order) – Contemporary 21st-Century Sculpture
Located in Holte, DK
“Revolve” – No. S5.
This is made in a limited edition of only 5 pieces + 1 AP.
The five sculptures are made in five different colors, making them ...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Cast Stone
“Revolve” No.S2 'made to order' – Contemporary Plaster Sculpture from Denmark
Located in Holte, DK
“Revolve” – No. S2.
This is made in a limited edition of only 5 pieces + 1 AP.
The five sculptures are made in five different colors, making them ...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Cast Stone
Shagreen Galuchat Design Leather Paperweight - GALUCHARME Collection
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Add a touch of elegance to your desk with this unique paperweight made of shagreen galuchat leather, a fine and exquisite material known for its uniq...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Brass
Bronze Fire Hydrant Wrench by Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze five hole fire hydrant wrench by Jones, USA. This piece can used for its original intention or for decorative purposes. Due to its weight it would be a perfect office pap...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Paperweights
Materials
Bronze
“Revolve” No.S4 'made to order' – Contemporary Decorative Sculpture from Denmark
Located in Holte, DK
“Revolve” – No. S4.
This is made in a limited edition of only 5 pieces + 1 AP.
The five sculptures are made in five different colors, making them all truly one of a kind. The piece in the photo has been sold, but you can request your favorite color under customization. This would be made to order and numbered as No. 02/05.
The piece is made from plaster, fish glue, and pigments. It's waxed and weighs 1kg (2.2lb).
About Revolve:
The starting point of this project is rooted in Flensted Mouritzen's interest in old stucco materials and moulding techniques. It has grown into a fascination with the two-dimensional line of the running mould technique being transformed through a specifically created turning machine...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Cast Stone
“Revolve” No.S6 Blue Contemporary Handmade Scagliola Stucco Sculpture 'no.01/05'
Located in Holte, DK
“Revolve” – No. S6 in Blue (no. 01/05)
This is made in a limited edition of only 5 pieces + 1 AP
The five sculptures are made in five different col...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Cast Stone
“Revolve” No. S7 Green, Contemporary Handmade Scagliola Sculpture 'no. 01/05'
Located in Holte, DK
“Revolve”, No. S7 in Green (no. 01/05)
This is made in a limited edition of only 5 pieces + 1 AP
The five sculptures are made in five different colors, making them all truly one of a kind. You can buy this unique piece or request your favorite color under customization.
The piece is made from plaster, fish glue, and pigments. It's waxed and weighs 3kg (6.6 lb).
About revolve:
The starting point of this project is rooted in Flensted Mouritzen's interest in old stucco materials and moulding techniques. It has grown into a fascination with the two-dimensional line of the running mould technique being transformed through a specifically created turning machine...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Cast Stone
Wooden Christmas Tree Mega FIR – Cedar, 62 cm
Located in Orlando, FL
The solid cedar Christmas tree is made entirely from natural cedar wood and adds an elegant touch to your holiday decor with its minimalist design. Inspired by the form of the fir tr...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Wood, Oak
Paul J. Stankard Root People Paperweight
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Artist/Designer; Manufacturer: Paul J. Stankard (American, b. 1943)
Marking(s); notes: signed
Materials: lampwork glass, polished clear and black glass
Dimensions (H, W, D): 2.5"h, 2...
Category
20th Century American Modern Paperweights
Materials
Glass
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Finger Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze finger by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a bronze finger in a curved position with the tip f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Bronze
Stunning Signed Lockdown 2020 Large Artist Sculpture Very Rare Collectable Piece
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for this lovely one of a kind “Lockdown 2020” brass artists sculpture
Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Paperweights
Materials
Brass
$976 Sale Price
25% Off
21st Century by Sergio Asti "Pressacarte" Desk Marble Complement (set of 4 pcs)
By Sergio Asti
Located in massa, IT
Desk Marble complement designed by Sergio Asti
Price referred to a complete set of four items:
Size Model 1: Cm H 18 x Diameter cm 6
Size Model 2: Cm H16 x Diameter cm 6
Size Model ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paperweights
Materials
Marble
White Bookend Mould Project by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
White bookend Mould project by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Unique
Materials: Jesmonite
Dimensions: 110 x 80 x 180mm
Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product...
Category
2010s English Modern Paperweights
Materials
Cement
“Revolve” No.S3 'made to order' - Contemporary Handmade Stucco Sculpture
Located in Holte, DK
“Revolve” – No. S3
This is made in a limited edition of only 5 pieces + 1 AP
The five sculptures are made in five different colors, making them all tru...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Cast Stone
“Revolve” No.S1 Blue – Contemporary 21st-Century Stucco Sculpture 'no. 01/05'
Located in Holte, DK
“Revolve” – No. S1 in Blue (no. 01/05)
This is made in a limited edition of only 5 pieces + 1 AP
The five sculptures are made in five different colors, making them all truly one of a kind. You can buy this unique piece or request your favorite color under customization.
The piece is made from plaster, fish glue, and pigments. It's waxed and weighs 8.5kg (19 lb).
About Revolve:
The starting point of this project is rooted in Flensted Mouritzen's interest in old stucco materials and moulding techniques. It has grown into a fascination with the two-dimensional line of the running mould technique being transformed through a specifically created turning machine...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Paperweights
Materials
Cast Stone
Modern paperweights for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern paperweights for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paperweights created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern paperweights made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paperweights, popular names associated with this style include Paola Valle, Flensted Mouritzen, VG design and laboratory department, and Caithness Scotland. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for paperweights differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $53 and tops out at $3,500 while the average work can sell for $343.
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