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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

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

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 legendary 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.

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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color:  Blue
Seguso Vetri D'Arte Poli Murano Sommerso Italian Art Glass Squirrel Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, rare, and cute vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso green Italian art glass squirrel figure / sculpture. Documented to designer Flavio Poli for...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

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

Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Fish Sculpture Figurine, Italy, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, decorative midcentury Rimini blue glazed fish sculpture. Designed by Aldo Londi, manufactured by Bitossi Ceramiche / Italy in the 19...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Terracotta

Fratelli Toso Murano Green White Italian Art Glass Crown Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and colorful vintage Murano hand blown green and white twisting ribbons Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. This paperweights are often ...
Category

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

Materials

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

Pop-Art Enzo Mari Style Lucite Cube Sculpture
Located in Raleigh, NC
Vintage blue lucite cube sculpture with suspended steel marbles. In the style of Enzo Mari.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Fermacarte "TRITTICO" di Roberto Giulio Rida
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Trittico di fermacarte in cristallo pensato e prodotto da Roberto Giulio Rida. Gli elementi fermacarte decorativi, sono stati ricavati da rocce di vetro di fusione che sono stati mo...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Stained Glass

Pair of paperweights/jewelry holders by Roberto Giulio Rida
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Pair of small furnishing accessories, paperweights/jewelry holders aimed at decorating a desk. As demonstrated in the photos, they can be small containers for resting jewelry, rings,...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Beautiful Fish Reef and Octopus Murano Italian Art Glass Aquarium Paperweight
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight. Showing a octopus holding a reef with fish aquarium. Colors are a different shades of blue, white, black and clea...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Darling, Multicoloured Hand Blown Glass Duckling Figure Archimede Seguso, Murano
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Absolutely darling little Archimede Seguso duckling figurine Delightful hand blown glass artistry from Seguso Circa 1980's Signed Archimede Seguso, Murano to base, with original lab...
Category

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

Materials

Glass

Gorgeous Murano Italian Art Glass Giant Octopus Paperweight, Italy, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight. Showing a giant octopuses, in a glass bubble floating on controlled bubbles. Colors are a blue, yellow, red and c...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Cobalt Blue Flowers Italian Art Glass Tall Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown cobalt blue flowers Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. It still retains an original, but worn "KB Made In Ita...
Category

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

Materials

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

Fratelli Toso Murano Blue Purple Flowers Glass Italian Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown royal blue and white mini spots, with purple and white millefiori flower murrines Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso c...
Category

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

Materials

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

Murano Blue Multi-Color Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown blue over white, with flowers Italian art glass fish sculpture / paperweight. Attributed to designer Galliano Ferro, for the Fornasa De Murano A L...
Category

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

Materials

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

Seguso Murano Teal White Opal Albastro Italian Art Glass Baby Elephant Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown opalescent teal blue-green and white opalescent Italian art glass baby elephant sculpture / figurine. Documented to desi...
Category

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

Materials

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

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Vintage Opal White Blue Italian Art Glass Bird Figure
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso opalescent white and sky blue Italian art glass bird figurine / sculpture. Documented to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte company, circa 1950s. Th...
Category

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

Materials

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

Salviati Murano Sommerso Blue Green Italian Art Glass Snail Figure Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, and large, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso green with bubbles and cobalt blue Italian art glass snail sculpture. Documented to the Salvia...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

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

Murano Dark Blue Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 2 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and dark blue Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy Measu...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Vintage Blue Opal White Italian Art Glass Bird Figure
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso opalescent white and sky blue Italian art glass bird figurine / sculpture. Documented to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte company. The cute bird h...
Category

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

Materials

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

Italian Murano Sky Blue Ashtray or Bowl
Located in New York, NY
A small and substantial Italian Murano sky blue art glass ashtray or bowl, circa late-20th century, Italy. Great as its intended use (ashtray), as a standalone piece, or to hold small items such as jewelry on a desk, vanity, nightstand, dresser, etc. Piece appears to have never been use. Dimensions: 3" Depth x 4.63" Width. Gold and white granite side table search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314224459822 (SOLD) Italian blue and gold bowl...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Murano Blue White Opalescent Italian Art Glass Fish Figure Paperweight Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown opalescent cobalt blue and white opalescent Italian art glass fish sculpture / paperweight. Created in the manner of designer Archimede Seguso, in the "Alabastro" technique. The main body is almost a ball, with large applied opal white fins...
Category

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

Materials

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

Signed & Labeled Salviati Venetian / Murano Art Glass Snail Paperweight Figurine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Italian art glass paperweight. By Salviati. In the form of a green snail with a brown and white swirl shell. Marked to the base 'Salviati' along with an original Salv...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Salviati Murano Sommerso Cobalt Blue Italian Art Glass Owl Figure Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, and large, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso cobalt blue over clear Italian art glass owl figurine, paperweight / sculpture. Documented to th...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

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

Murano Light Blue Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso, 4 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage photo frame with hand blown clear and light blue Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy. Meas...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Old Blue Scale Gwarancja Olsztyn, Europe, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A fantastic antique weighing scale with nicely aged blue paint. Made by Gwarancja Factory in Olsztyn, Poland in the late 20th century. It presents...
Category

1970s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Iron

Roy COX Thimble Drone Race Car in Fine Original Condition
By COX
Located in Ferndale, MI
Cox Thimble drone race car. Never been motorized. Appears to not have been played with. Fine condition in original paint .
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

MCM Japanese Patinated Iron Winking Owl Pen Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
A fun MCM Japanese patinated iron winking owl pen tray, circa 1970s. The tray is in very good vintage condition and measures 2.5"W X 8.25"D X .5"H. A very co...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Fratelli Toso Murano Blue Millefiori Flower Italian Art Glass Paperweights
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced per item (3 designs available). Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown flower design Italian art glass paperweights. Documented to the Fratelli Toso Company, all with original la...
Category

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

Materials

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

Stig Lindberg Gustavsberg Vintage Signed Ceramic Tray or Dish Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage chic Swedish Mid-Century Modern hallmarked Stig Lindberg glazed ceramic tray, dish or desk accessory is hallmarked in 2 places with numbers; Gustavsberg Sweden with a sy...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy by Aldo Londi 1950
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy by Aldo Londi 1950 Round "Rimini Blu" enameled terra cotta cigar ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Handcrafted in Italy with hand c...
Category

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

Materials

Stoneware

Large Murano Glass Paperweight with Internal Bubbles and Swirls
Located in Rochester, NY
Vintage colorful Italian glass paperweight.
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass

Malachite Natural Specimen Vide Poche Stone Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
Natural malachite stone specimen vide poche tray hand carved at center. May be used as a decorative object or used as a paperweight to brighten ones desk. Beautiful includes crysta...
Category

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

Materials

Malachite

Scandinavia Modern Blue Art Glass Vase Mid-Century Modern
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial Scandinavia Modern Mid-Century Modern blue art glass vase with a tiny, controlled bubble design, mid-20th century, Denma...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

20th Century Fontana Arte Soliflore Vase Model 2392 in Crystal & Nickeled Brass
Located in Turin, Turin
FontanaArte is an Italian company founded in Milan (as Fontana Arte) in 1932 by Luigi Fontana and Giò Ponti and specializing in glass processing and the production of furnishing acce...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

1970s Crystal Paperweight Sculpture by Fontana Arte for ISTUD, Italy
Located in Rome, IT
This elegant limited edition paperweight sculpture was made by Fontana Arte for ISTUD Italia in the 1970s. As the pictures show, it comes with its original box and ticket which s...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Murano Opalescent White Blue Bubbles Italian Art Glass Dove Bird Figurines
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful pair of vintage Murano hand blown opalescent blue and white, with controlled bubbles Italian art glass dove bird figurines. Documented to the Frat...
Category

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

Materials

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

Aldo Londi for Bitossi Remini Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Remini Blue Ceramic Ashtray Handcrafted in Italy "Rimini Blu" enameled terra cotta turquoise blue ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Designed in a great glazed...
Category

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

Materials

Stoneware

Aldo Londi Bitossi Very Large Round Rimini Blue Glazed Midcentury Ashtray, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, decorative midcentury Rimini blue glazed ashtray. Very large, has a diameter of 9 1/2 inches, Designed by Aldo Londi, manufactured by Bitossi Ceramiche / Italy in the 19...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Terracotta

Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Square Midcentury Ashtray, Italy, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, decorative midcentury Rimini blue glazed ashtray. Designed by Aldo Londi, manufactured by Bitossi Ceramiche / Italy in the 1950s. Handcrafted with hand carved geometric ...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Terracotta

Pop Art Love Coin Bank, After Robert Indiana, Red, Blue, Green.
Located in New York, NY
Love Coin Bank, After Robert Indiana, red, blue and green. Medium scale bank with LOVE printed on both sides of the metal. Signed: "Produced and Distributed ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Vincenzo Nason Murano Art Glass Green Blue Bird Paperweight Figurine
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Murano glass bird sculpture by Vincenzo Nason, Italy, 1970s. Green, blue and clear glass with beautiful hues when light go...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Blue Ceramic Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Handcrafted in Italy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Blue Ceramic Ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi Handcrafted in Italy "Rimini Blu" enameled terra cotta turquoise blue ashtray by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Handcrafted in Italy w...
Category

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

Materials

Stoneware

VeArt Vintage Murano Art Glass Vase by Mario Ticco 'Attr.'
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A nice Murano art glass vase manufactured by VeArt in 1983. An authentic Italian art glass most probably designed by Mario Ticco or Lino Tagliapietra. Clea...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Beveled Glass Ashtray by Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian oval shaped beveled glass ashtray by Fontana Arte / Made in Italy circa 1960s Measures: Length 5.75 inches / width 3.75 inches / height 0.75 inches 1 in stock in Palm...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Murano Glass Sheets from the 1960s
Located in bari, IT
Murano glass sheets from the 1960s.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Beveled Glass Ashtray by Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian beveled glass ashtray by Fontana Arte / Made in Italy circa 1960s Measures: Length 6.5 inches / width 6.5 inches / height 1 inch 1 in stock in Palm Springs ON 20% OFF...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

1960s Italian Design Crystal Key Fontana Arte Style Paperweight
Located in Brescia, IT
Rare crystal key paperweight Perfect condiction.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Brilliant Cobalt Blue Glass Paper Weight with Bubbles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A brilliant cobalt Blue hand Blown glass paperweight. The color and size are very nice... the weight is heavy and substantial - great for ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Atomic Age Sputnik Table Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern table lamp in the style of Sputnik. This tall and shiny table lamp has a chrome ball base with newly powder coated teal/blue metal blue stems with small white bulb...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

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.

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