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
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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.
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color: Gray
Grosbeak Glass Sculpture by Livio Seguso for Gral, Germany, ca. 1970ties
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A sculpture of a stylized grosbeak in smoke grey and opaque glass. It is hand made in the Gral glass manufactory, Germany. Designed by Livio Seguso, ca. 1970. Incised signature of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Large Fish Sculpture by Livio Seguso for Gral Germany, ca. 1970ties
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A sculpture of a stylized fish in blue and pink glass. Hand made in the Gral glass manufactory, Germany. Designed by Livio Seguso ca. 1970. Incised signature of the artist (LS) on th...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
One left Swank French mod chrome frame fashion or runway sunglasses
Located in Ferndale, MI
One pair still available . Op-pop mod fashion sunglasses round lenses marked France . Very clean plastic chrome frames with chrome steel arms . Slight scu...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Ceramic Ashtray Ditmar Urbach, 1960's
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in Czechoslovakia
- made of ceramic
- good, original condition.
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Great Sculpture of a Bear Designed by Livio Seguso, ca. 1970ties
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A powerful stylized sculpture of a bear in solid smoke grey glass. It is hand made in the Gral glass manufactory, Germany. The typical design of Livio Seguso in the 1970s. The base w...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Green Glass Pen Holder by Fontana Arte, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Green glass base with the black Bakelite and bras pen holder.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Scalar by Livio Seguso for Gral, Germany, Ca. 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A sculpture of a stylized scalar in smoke grey glass with white glass bands. Hand made in the Gral glass manufactory, Germany. Designed by Livio Seguso, ca. 1970. Incised signature o...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
1960s by Pierre Cardin for Venini Murano Glass Ashtray
By Venini, Pierre Cardin
Located in Brescia, IT
Rare glass ashtray with flower
Perfect condition.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Mireau Art Glass Apple Frosted Leaf Paperweight Signed
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Paperweight crystal apple with stem and satin leaf signed Mireau.
1960s Mireau Art Glass Studio from California.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Val Saint Lambert France Engraved Glass Disc Pisces Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
Dreamy engraved round glass disc Pisces paperweight by Val Saint Lambert, France, circa 1970s.
Signed with engraved signature on disc edge, pictured.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Aluminum and Lucite Ice Bucket and Tongs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage aluminum ice bucket and Lucite tongs.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Murano Glass Paperweights by A. Barbini
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This nice pair of paperweights was designed by Alfredo Barbini and made in the workshop of Barbini on the island Murano in the lagoon of Venice.
Alfredo Barbini, a glass artist born...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Fish Sculpture by Livio Seguso for Gral, Germany, ca. 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A sculpture of a stylized fish in smoke grey glass with white glass band. Hand made in the Gral glass manufactory, Germany. Designed by Livio Seguso ca. 1970. Incised signature of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Mats Jonasson Frosted Crystal Glass Seal Toucan Paperweight Sculpture, 1980s
Located in Rome, IT
A lead crystal glass paperweight, produced circa 1980s by Mats Jonasson of Sweden, designed as a seal, with frosted detail in the shape of a toucan. Marki...
Category
1980s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Set of Five Sculptures, Anonymous, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of five sculptures, anonymous,
Sweden. 1950s.
Pewter.
Dimensions:
D: 7.5 cm/ 3"
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
Austrian Midcentury Horn Matchbox Holder by Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Minimalistic and pure shaped desk accessories, iconic for its Designer Carl Auböck and in excellent condition.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Horn
Danish Designer Bjorn Wiinblad White & Gold Jewelry Dish Rosenthal Studio-Line
Located in New York, NY
A small beautiful white and gold jewelry dish by Danish Designer Bjorn Wiinblad for Rosenthal Studio-Line porcelain, Germany, 20th century. With...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Dalmatian Murano Glass Black White Spotted Puppy Dog Figure Paperweight
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cute hand blown Murano glass Puppy Dog Figurine Sculpture in Black and White Murrine, Italy, 1950s.
This nice doggy stands up on a small clear glass base. It has white spots on a bla...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pietro Chiesa Midcentury Chiseled Crystal Desk Set for Fontana Arte, 1930s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This hand chiselled crystal desk set was designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1930s
Fontana Arte S.p.A. is an Italian company founded in Milan (as Fontana Arte) in 1...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Yonel Lebovici "Ressort" Letter Holder, Nickel, Steel, Signed
Located in New York, NY
Yonel Lebovici Ressort letter holder, steel signed. Small scale letter holder in a matte brushed nickel steel finish. Produced in a limited edition of 500 by Distrimex in 1969. Retai...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Toso Murano 1976 Blue Millefiori Flower Italian Art Glass Basket Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and pink Zanfirico ribbons basket with cobalt blue flower murrines Italian art glass paperweight. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company. T...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass, Sommerso, Murrine
Marble Desk Accessory Pocket Emptier Change Holder Key Holder
Located in Sacile, PN
Vide-poche (pocket emptier) in black and white marble, dated circa 1960.
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Mid-Century Cooking Glass Set, Czechoslovakia, 1960’s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made of glass, metal
Re-polished
Fully functional
Original condition.
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Vintage Italian Desk Set in Onyx Marble Ashtray and Paperweights, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A decorative desk lot consisting of pear and able shaped paperweights with brass stems and a mosaic ashtray in Onyx marble. Manufactured in Italy during...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
Decorative Brass Leaves, French
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
These decorative leaves are made of brass. This is a French work, circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Chrome and Lucite Table Sculpture, 1970
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern abstract chrome and Lucite table or desk sculpture from circa 1970.
Form fit into the footed Lucite base.
Sculpture measures: 8.75 x 5.75 x 1.38 inches height.
...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Italian Murano Glass Penguin
Located in Englewood, NJ
A whimsical Mid-Century Modern Italian blown art glass penguin sculpture attributed to Antonio da Ros, made for Cenedese decorated with heavy clear layer...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Fornasetti Commedia dell'Arte Paperweights
By Fornasetti
Located in Riverdale, NY
Pair of porcelain Fornasetti pebble paperweights.
Motifs: Commedia dell'Arte by Piero Fornasetti
Measures: 4" x 3" x 1.5".
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern "Astrolite" Sculptural Lucite Bookends by Ritts Co.
Located in New York, NY
This stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern ”Astrolite" bookends were realized the Ritts Co. of Los Angeles, circa 1970. They offer faceted, sculptural forms in ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Midcentury Murano Glass and Gold Dust Spherical Paperweight with Bubbles, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury Murano glass and gold dust spherical paperweight. It was produced in Italy during 1970s and attributed to Alfredo Barbini.
Its peculiarity is the Murano glass...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
1970s by Renato Toso Murano Glass Pair of Stone Paperweights
By Renato Toso
Located in Brescia, IT
"Sassi" by Renato Toso, 1970
Clear and black Murano glass
Excellent condition, just slight sign (look at the picture).
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
1950s Onyx Stone Hand Carved Ashtray, Jewelry Bowl or Paperweight
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lovely natural onyx stone ashtray, paperweight or rings bowl, Spain, 1950s-1960s.
Cut and polished stone showing the mineral’s distinctive banding striations in different shades of ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Onyx
Paperweight in Murano Glass with Inner Bubbles and Gold Dust, Sculpture, Italy
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful sphere in Murano glass. Game of air rising from a golden dust.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
1950s Pair of Porcelaine Fishes as Bookend or Deco
Located in Weiningen, CH
1950s pair of porcelaine fishes as bookend or deco.
Category
1950s Portuguese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Fontana Arte 1950s Modernist Glass Pen Holder or Stand and Ashtray Desk Set
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Max Ingrand (attributed) for Fontana Arte desk set featuring a pen holder or stand with a tray and an ashtray. Made in Italy of thick polished gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
1950s Desk Set by Pietro Ciesa, Fontana Arte Picture Frame Letter Opener Pen
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare 1950s suite of Pietro Chiesa handmade in Italy luxury glassware made for Fontana Arte
A highly collectable set in stunning order, full condition reports are below with the description of each item
These pieces can be found in various forms online for sale, the letter opener and especially the picture frame as some of the rarest pieces, you won’t find another of either anywhere
The pen holder has a coin tray, the paper holder has the original handmade paper, the picture frame swivels around 360 degrees, it’s as mentioned a very special find
Pietro Chiesa
A descendant of an eminent Ticino-based family of artists, he opened his own glassmaking shop in 1921 after working as an apprentice at the Giannotti glassworks. In the early 1920s, he took part in the Venice Biennale, the Monza Biennale, the Exposition des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and exhibitions in Cologne and Barcelona. His work combines extreme modernity with outstanding technical ability.
His creations include the glass windows of the Trieste Stock Exchange, the windows of the Motorship Victoria as well as those of the transatlantic liner Conte di Savoia.
In 1932, Pietro Chiesa was asked by Gio Ponti to share in the artistic direction of the newborn FontanaArte, a role that would enable him to give full expression to his creative flair by designing over a thousand different objects (furniture, tables, lamps, glass windows, objets d’art etc). Some of these pieces took their place in the history of design and are still produced by FontanaArte today, such as the Fontana curved table (1932), the Cartoccio vase (1932) and the Luminator floor lamp (1933).
Pen holder, some chips around the edges of the underside trim and light scratches to the top
Dimensions
Height 19 cm
Width 22.5 cm
Depth 15 cm
Notepad hold with original handmade paper, no damage to note
Dimensions
Height 8 cm
Width 20 cm
Depth 7.8 cm
Swivel picture signed initialled and numbered, no damage
Dimensions
Height 12 cm
Width 10 cm
Depth 7 cm
Envelope opener...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Tapio Wirkkala Line Cut Leaf Art Glass Objects/Bowls, Signed
Located in East Hampton, NY
This lovely and signed set of four glass pieces produced by Iittala in line cut engraved forms. Three of the larger bowls have full and distinct signatures along the edges. These exq...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Venini tray clear glass with a circular slightly inverted dome, 1950s Italy
By Venini
Located in Bronx, NY
1950s Venini tray clear glass with a circular slightly inverted dome rough green almost black glass inlay, great for a night table to rest your watch or je...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
1960s Austrian Cow Horn Brush by Carl Aubock
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant brush hand carved from cow horn with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Horn
Italy Brass and Plexiglass Frame Midcentury Design Style, Contemporary Product
Located in Brescia, IT
This item is the example how the design can create a beautiful ordinary object.
It is fully handmade in Italy with heavy thick plexiglass and brass p...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Tissue Box in the Style of Charles Hollis Jones
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern Lucite tissue box in the style of Charles Hollis Jones, circa 1970s. The piece is very heavy and substantial with a horizontal gro...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
1950s Fontana Arte Attributed Mid-Century Modern Glass Italian Desk Set
By Fontana Arte
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An Italian stylish desk set attributed to Fontana Arte, very heavy verde nilo glass, has been made in 1950s, there is a small chip in one black pen holder. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cut Glass
1960s Austrian Cow Horn Comb by Carl Aubock
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant comb hand carved from cow horn with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Horn
Fontana Arte Glass Notepad, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
A beautiful Fontana Arte two-colored glass notepad.
Original label.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Pair of Italian Architectural Chromed Steel Chain Links Bookends, circa 1970
Located in New York, NY
This pair of extremely heavy chain links bookends are of 1970s Italian Architectural design. Although functional if used as intended, they form a kind of very interesting geometrical...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Blenko Glass Shell Bookends
By Blenko Glass
Located in New York, NY
1970s Blenko glass clear glass shell bookends.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Murano White Gold Flecked Glass Goose Figure
Located in New York, NY
A figure of a goose, made of sculpted Italian Murano glass with white gold fleck inclusions. In good vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Natural Burl Wood Magnifier
Located in Montreal, QC
Unique desk or tabletop hand magnifying glass featuring a large round looking glass mounted to a fabulous burl wood handle, circa 1950s. A strang...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Swirl over Water Murano Italian Art Glass Aquarium Paperweight
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight. Showing blue waves, with a swirl on top. Colors are a blue, yellow, red and clear. A beautiful nice addition to y...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Gucci Vintage Faux Bamboo Paper Knife, 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci Vintage faux bamboo letter opener in chrome signed with Gucci and in very good vintage condition.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Midcentury Classic 1970s Rolodex Card File Tray Faux Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Rolodex
Vintage Rolodex Card File Tray in Faux Wood Midcentury Modern Madmen Classic
6.25 x 4.5 x 2.25 tall
Beautifully aged paper file cards.
Original Unres...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
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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