Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Emerged during the mid-20th century
Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
A heyday of innovation in postwar America
Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
Promotion of functionality

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

Charles and Ray Eames
Eero Saarinen
Milo Baughman
Florence Knoll
Harry Bertoia
Isamu Noguchi
George Nelson
Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

Style: Mid-Century Modern

Set of 4 Midcentury Stackable Solid Brass Austrian Ashtrays After Adnet, 1950s

$466 / item

Set of 4 Midcentury Stackable Solid Brass Austrian Ashtrays After Adnet, 1950s

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Roma, IT

Wonderful and unique set of four stackable ashtrays in solid brass. This stylish and versatile set was produced in Austria during the 1950s after Jacques Adnet. Fully original and i...

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Set of 9 Signed Vasa Mihich Lucite Laminated Op-Art Cube Sculptures Dated 1989

$3,000 / set

Set of 9 Signed Vasa Mihich Lucite Laminated Op-Art Cube Sculptures Dated 1989

By Vasa Velizar Mihich, Shlomi Haziza

Located in St. Louis, MO

Faceted colorful & playful set of nine Lucite Vasa Mihich cube sculptures, one is signed Vasa and dated '89. 2" square blocks of colors, change at angles of play of light into differ...

Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Richard Rohac figurine glass holder around 1950s ( signed )

$693

Richard Rohac figurine glass holder around 1950s ( signed )

By Richard Rohac

Located in Wien, AT

Richard Rohac figurine glass holder around 1950s ( signed ) Original condition The glasses are included

Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Gorgeous Murano Italian Art Glass Giant Octopus Paperweight, Italy, 1980s

$420

Gorgeous Murano Italian Art Glass Giant Octopus Paperweight, Italy, 1980s

By Murano Glass Sommerso

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass Statue, paper weight or sculpture. Showing a giant octopus. Colors are a blue, white, black and clear. A beautiful nice addition to your...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Brass Desk Pen Holder by Günter Kupetz for WMF Germany - Desk Accessory - 1950’s

$466

Brass Desk Pen Holder by Günter Kupetz for WMF Germany - Desk Accessory - 1950’s

By Günter Kupetz

Located in ROUEN, Normandie

Brass Desk Pen Holder by Günter Kupetz for WMF Germany - Desk Accessory - 1950’s Free form brass bowl, originally used as a pen holder, created by Günter Kupetz. Very elegant for a...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

MCM Bright Red Modular Desk Organizer by Karl Deyhle of Germany

$475

MCM Bright Red Modular Desk Organizer by Karl Deyhle of Germany

By Gebrüder Deyhle

Located in San Diego, CA

Sculptural mid-century modern modular desk organizer by Karl Deyhle, produced in Germany circa the 1960s. Executed in vibrant red molded plastic, the set comprises multiple cylindric...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Erik Höglund Art Glass Medallions - Sculptural Ashtrays or Paperweights, Sweden

$370 / set

Erik Höglund Art Glass Medallions - Sculptural Ashtrays or Paperweights, Sweden

By Erik Höglund

Located in Bochum, NRW

Erik Höglund Art Glass Medallions - Sculptural Ashtrays or Paperweights, Sweden, 1960s A striking pair of hand-cast glass medallions by renowned Swedish artist Erik Höglund, circa 19...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Mid Century Globe Wernicke Wood Double Letter Tray

$275

Mid Century Globe Wernicke Wood Double Letter Tray

By Globe Wernicke, Ralph Lauren

Located in San Diego, CA

A beautifully crafted vintage two-tier letter tray executed in warm, honey-toned oak with striking exposed dovetail joinery. The sculpted, wave-cut fronts lend a soft organic profile...

Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Beautiful Fish Murano Italian Art Glass Aquarium Paperweight

$160

Beautiful Fish Murano Italian Art Glass Aquarium Paperweight

By Murano Glass Sommerso

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium design Italian art glass paper weight. Showing two fish inside, in orange colors. Colors are orange, blue, ...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Original Mid-Century Modern Vintage Western Electric Rotary Telephone

$250

Original Mid-Century Modern Vintage Western Electric Rotary Telephone

Located in San Diego, CA

Original Western Electric rotary telephone, incredible vintage piece, not a replica, dating to 1968. Featuring a beautiful wooden box casing with gold accents and black rotary dial,...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Murano Gambaro Poggi Purple Scavo Italian Art Glass Rabbit Figurine Paperweight

$500

Murano Gambaro Poggi Purple Scavo Italian Art Glass Rabbit Figurine Paperweight

By Gambaro & Poggi

Located in Kissimmee, FL

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown purple, blue and green Italian art glass bunny rabbit paperweight / figurine. The piece is documented to the Gambaro & Poggi company. It still...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

Annemarie Davidson & Blaine Rath Walnut & Enamel Letter Tray, California, c.1970

$650

Annemarie Davidson & Blaine Rath Walnut & Enamel Letter Tray, California, c.1970

By Florence Knoll, Annemarie Davidson

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Annemarie Davidson & Blaine Rath Walnut & Enamel Letter Tray, California, c.1970

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Enamel

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl

$145 / item

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Shell Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder

$145 / item

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Shell Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

A charming modernist shell keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Length including...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Owl Bronze Figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria for Opera Ball 1953

$310

Owl Bronze Figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria for Opera Ball 1953

By Walter Bosse

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Early 1950s - 1960s Austrian Walter Bosse Figurine made for Opera Ball Vienna, 1953 An elegant early 1950s figurine, crafted in Austria and exemplary of mid-century Austrian bronze ...

Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Solid Carved Malchite Head Sculpture or Paperweight

$432

Solid Carved Malchite Head Sculpture or Paperweight

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Very heavy Solid carved Malchite head sculpture Paperweight.

Category

1950s Beninese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

Carl Auböck Midcentury Lucky Charm Pig Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder

$128 / item

Carl Auböck Midcentury Lucky Charm Pig Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

A charming modernist pig keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Aus...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Rare Gucci Solid Sterling Silver Lion's Paw Letter Opener

$2,077

Rare Gucci Solid Sterling Silver Lion's Paw Letter Opener

By Gucci

Located in Bath, GB

I have only ever had one other of these and it was silver over bronze; I was amazed to find this heavy solid silver example fully marked "925" on the underside and signed by the famo...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Clear Murano Photo Frame

$1,800

Clear Murano Photo Frame

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Made in Italy circa 1960s Measures: Height: 13 inches / width: 10 inches / depth: 2 inches For photo siz...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

White Owl Bird Porcelain Object Sculpture

$275

White Owl Bird Porcelain Object Sculpture

By Royal Dux Bohemia

Located in New York, NY

A white porcelain owl bird, Mid-Century Modern period, by Royal Dux Bohemia, circa mid-20th century, Czechoslovakia. With makers' mark on underside as shown i...

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Adorable, Pedigree French Poodle, Toffee Glaze Ceramic Figurine, Vallauris 1950s

$1,315

Adorable, Pedigree French Poodle, Toffee Glaze Ceramic Figurine, Vallauris 1950s

By Vallauris

Located in Rothley, Leicestershire

Sporting a 'Dutch Cut' to his coat, this adorable ceramic poodle stands tall and proud Collar and feet are gilded, the glaze is a delicious toffee caramel colour and the eyes are pin...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

33 Pieces Furniture Handle, circa 1960

$23Sale Price / item|33% Off

33 Pieces Furniture Handle, circa 1960

Located in Wien, AT

Furniture handle 33 pieces Original condition Sold and price per piece.

Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Millefiori Paperweight Murano Italian Art Glass Paperweight, 1960s

$472

Millefiori Paperweight Murano Italian Art Glass Paperweight, 1960s

By Formia Murano

Located in Antwerp, BE

Murano midcentury modern 1960s Millefiori flower, green, blue, red, white murine Italian Art Glass paperweight.

Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Murrine

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Peanut Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder

$145 / item

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Peanut Brass Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

A charming modernist peanut keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Heart Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder

$140 / item

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Heart Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

A charming modernist heart keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, 1950s

$299Sale Price|28% Off

Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, 1950s

By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller

Located in Wien, AT

Walter Bosse cat figurine with thermometer, 1950s Austrian desk thermometer, cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. Designed by Walter Bosse...

Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Seahorse Handmade Key Ring Chain Holder

$145 / item

Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Seahorse Handmade Key Ring Chain Holder

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Vienna, AT

A charming modernist seahorse keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Yashica-Mat Twin Lens Reflex Camera With Yashinon 80mm F3.5 Lens Medium Format

$484

Yashica-Mat Twin Lens Reflex Camera With Yashinon 80mm F3.5 Lens Medium Format

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Yashica-Mat Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format Camera With a Yashinon 80mm F3.5 Prime Fixed Lens Takes Medium Format Roll Film Comes With Original With Brown Leather Yashica Case. Yas...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Vintage onyx cardholder desk accessory, 20th century

$192Sale Price|20% Off

Vintage onyx cardholder desk accessory, 20th century

Located in View Park, CA

A vintage onyx card holder, 1960s. Most likely from Italy, Mexico, or Pakistan. Tones of pistachio, rust, and toffee. Pick up in central west Los Angeles or we ship worldwide. 4” W ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx

Malachite and Bone Letter Openers, two available

$295 / item

Malachite and Bone Letter Openers, two available

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Two Malachite and bone letter knives. Wonderful vintage letter openers with malachite handles. These would make a perfect gift for and office or functional luxury to use daily. Pric...

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite

Green Murano Glass Paperweight, 2 Available

$200Sale Price / item|50% Off

Green Murano Glass Paperweight, 2 Available

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Italian green Murano glass paperweight hand blown with air bubbles and infused with gold flecks / made in Italy, circa 1960s Measures: diameter 3.15 inches / height 3.15 inch...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Rainbow Wood Products Two-Tier Teak Paper Tray, Mid-Century Modern

$425

Rainbow Wood Products Two-Tier Teak Paper Tray, Mid-Century Modern

By House of Rainbow Wood Products Inc.

Located in San Diego, CA

A beautifully crafted two-tier paper tray produced by Rainbow Wood Products, showcasing the clean lines and warm organic materials characteristic of mid-century modern desk accessori...

Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Teak

Stuart Kern " America " Leather Memo Pad Holder circa 1980

$120Sale Price|20% Off

Stuart Kern " America " Leather Memo Pad Holder circa 1980

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Stuart Kern " America " Leather Memo Pad / Notepad Holder. circa 1980

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

1970s Dior Home Style Mid-Century Modern Fake Tortoise Lucite Smoking Set

$502 / set

1970s Dior Home Style Mid-Century Modern Fake Tortoise Lucite Smoking Set

By Dior Home

Located in Aci Castello, IT

A fake tortoise lucite italian smoking set composed by an ashtray, a cigarette box and a lighter not tested. Box side dimension is 12 cm, ashtray side ...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Toso Murano Green Orange Millefiori Flower Italian Art Glass Paperweights

$240Sale Price / item|20% Off

Toso Murano Green Orange Millefiori Flower Italian Art Glass Paperweights

By Fratelli Toso

Located in Kissimmee, FL

Priced per item (3 different designs available). Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown flower design Italian art glass paperweights. They are documented to the Fratelli Toso company. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine

Archimede Seguso Murano Pink White Gold Italian Art Glass Swan Bird Sculpture

$500Sale Price|33% Off

Archimede Seguso Murano Pink White Gold Italian Art Glass Swan Bird Sculpture

By Archimede Seguso

Located in Kissimmee, FL

Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown dark pink to opal white, and gold flecks Italian art glass swan sculpture / figurine. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, with original "Arch...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage Chrome Figural Fish Metal Letter Opener Knife, Germany Dated 1978

$160

Vintage Chrome Figural Fish Metal Letter Opener Knife, Germany Dated 1978

Located in Nuernberg, DE

1978 Fish Figural Metal Letter Opener, Austria This charming fish-shaped letter opener is a delightful example of late-20th-century design. Made of metal with a warm, aged patina, i...

Category

1970s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Orange Filament Murano Photo Frame

$1,500

Orange Filament Murano Photo Frame

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear Murano "Torciglione" glass border and orange filament ribbon / Made in Italy circa 1960s Measures: Height: 10.5 inches / width: 8.3 inches /...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight

$380 / item

Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Large Carl Auböck Model #5072 'Chain' Nickel Paperweight Executed in nickel-plated cast iron and designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is han...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Mid-Century Modern Group of 5 Murano Colored Glass Paperweights 1950s Italy

$388Sale Price / set|20% Off

Mid-Century Modern Group of 5 Murano Colored Glass Paperweights 1950s Italy

By Vetri

Located in Miami, FL

Grouping of 5 Mid-Century Modern Murano glass paperweights from the 1950s manufactured by S.V.C.C. Vetri D’Arte, Italy. Five different colors, Amethyst, Clear, Turquoise, Emerald and...

Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook

$360 / item

Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or p...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Clear with Gold Flecks Murano Photo Frame

$1,800

Clear with Gold Flecks Murano Photo Frame

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear Murano "Torciglione" glass border infused with gold flecks / Made in Italy circa 1960s Measures: Height: 11 inches / width: 12.5 inches / de...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook

$380 / item

Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Carl Auböck #4995 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished and patinated brass by We...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight

$260 / item

Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Carl Auböck Model #4223 'Hand' Brass Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Car...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #3844 Polished Brass Bowl

$430 / item

Carl Auböck Model #3844 Polished Brass Bowl

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Carl Auböck model #3844 polished brass bowl. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese bowl or catch-all is executed in polished brass. Originally conc...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

1960 Lino Sabattini Christofle Design Silver Metal Paperweight

$837

1960 Lino Sabattini Christofle Design Silver Metal Paperweight

By Christofle, Lino Sabattini

Located in Brescia, IT

Paperweight Lino Sabattini for Christofle France 1960 Silver Metal Mark manufacture impressed Very good condiction

Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

'German Shepherd' Folk Art Letter Holder with Dog in Wood Mid 20th Century

$508

'German Shepherd' Folk Art Letter Holder with Dog in Wood Mid 20th Century

Located in Meer, VAN

'German Shepherd' Folk Art Letter Holder with Dog in Wood Mid 20th Century. Just a great piece, this mid century letter holder. If you own ...

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Murano Millefiori Art Glass Paperweight, 1970s

$140

Mid-Century Modern Murano Millefiori Art Glass Paperweight, 1970s

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Murano Multicolor Art Glass Paperweight unmarked, maker unknown, 1970's "Millefiori is a glasswork technique which produces distinctive decorative patterns on glassware. The term m...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Nickel Paperweight

$310 / item

Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Nickel Paperweight

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' Polished Nickel Paperweight Designed in the 1950s, this beautifully refined Viennese paperweight is hand-fabricated in polished nickel-plated brass b...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Nickel, Brass

Brass Four Leaf Clover Paperweight with Inscription

$200

Brass Four Leaf Clover Paperweight with Inscription

Located in San Diego, CA

Vintage brass four leaf clover paperweight with inscription, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 4.5"W x 4.5"D x .25"H. A very cool and unique piec...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Brown Italian Leather Decorative Wastepaper Basket, Nova Tecno, 1950s

$1,064

Midcentury Brown Italian Leather Decorative Wastepaper Basket, Nova Tecno, 1950s

Located in Roma, IT

Spectacular Mid-Century decorative wastepaper basket, entirely crafted from full-grain curved Italian leather. This incredibly elegant piece was produced in Italy during the 1950s an...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Salviati Murano Sommerso Blue Green Italian Art Glass Snail Figure Sculpture

$900Sale Price|25% Off

Salviati Murano Sommerso Blue Green Italian Art Glass Snail Figure Sculpture

By Salviati, Luciano Gaspari

Located in Kissimmee, FL

Beautiful, and large, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso emerald green with bubbles, and sapphire blue Italian art glass snail sculpture. The piece is documented to the Salviati comp...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends

$740 / set

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Pair of Carl Auböck model #3653 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Pop Art "Coca Cola"/ Coke Bottle in Lucite Sculpture / Paperweight

$375

Pop Art "Coca Cola"/ Coke Bottle in Lucite Sculpture / Paperweight

Located in San Diego, CA

A really fun pop art "Coca Cola" / Coke bottle in lucite sculpture / paperweight, circa 1970s. The sculpture is in good vintage condition with minor markings and crazing due to age;...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Midcentury Expanded Metal Waste Paper Basket 1950s

$550

Midcentury Expanded Metal Waste Paper Basket 1950s

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in San Diego, CA

Mid Century generous sized and well built expanded metal trash can. Modernist three hairpin legs. Wood bottom. 1950s

Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends

$740 / set

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4635 Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each piec...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook

$270 / item

Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Carl Auböck Model #4330-2 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Aubö...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook

$300 / item

Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook

By Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Located in Glendale, CA

Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Scandinavian Mid-Century Mousetrap Paper Holder in Teak, 1960s

$236

Scandinavian Mid-Century Mousetrap Paper Holder in Teak, 1960s

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A Danish - Scandinavian take on Franz Xavier Bergman's Vienna Bronze Mousetrap. Here executed in teak, copper and leather. Such an unusual object for your desk. Use it for important ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Teak

Murano Glass Egg Form Paperweight with Aventurine Inclusions, Italy, 1990s

$249

Murano Glass Egg Form Paperweight with Aventurine Inclusions, Italy, 1990s

By Alfredo Barbini

Located in Glasgow, GB

This Murano glass paperweight, produced in Italy in the 1990s, is formed as an egg-shaped sculptural object, combining traditional glassmaking techniques with a decorative, contempor...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass, Murrine

Mid-century Modern desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern desk accessories 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 desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Fratelli Toso, Walter Bosse, and Herta Baller. 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 desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $34 and tops out at $28,500 while the average work can sell for $548.