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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
Creator: Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Carl Aubock Polished Brass Letter Opener #4233
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass letter opener #4233. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, origin...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #3794 'Aorta' Brass Vase
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #3794 'Aorta' Brass Vase. This exceptionally crafted vase by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage of form and functionality that has made the Aubock ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Vase or Decanter with Wicker Top, Midcentury, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful minimal modernist vase or decanter „Tuberkulinkolben", designed and executed by Carl Aubock II in the 1950s. Made of handblown clear glass with nice wickerwork / rattan o...
Category

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

Materials

Glass

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Wall Sculpture Napoleon #4271, Brass, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful wall sculpture „Napoleon", model #4059, designed by Carl Aubock II back in 1953. A charming object, handcrafted by Werkstätte Auböck in V...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #5262 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #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 Auböc...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Aorta Vase, Polished Brass, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful organic flower vase, model #3974, designed by Carl Aubock II in 1950. Executed by Werkstätte Auböck in Vienna / Austria. Handmade of bras...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #5262 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #5262 polished brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Produced ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Nickel Plated U-Shaped Brass Key Ring Chain Holder Knopferl
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", model #4617-2, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Identical to the brass key ring...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Carl Auböck Model #9038 Polished Brass Knob
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9038 polished brass knob. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in polished brass by Werkstätt...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Handcrafted Paperweight Jingle Bell #5039, Brass, Leather, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
A handmade paperweight in the shape of a sleigh bell, model #5039, originally designed by Carl Aubock III back in the 1960s. A very charming piece, reissued by Werkstätte Auböck...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #9038 Patinated Brass Knob
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9038 patinated brass knob. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in darkly patinated brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Aus...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Polished Brass Hand Bottle Opener #4224
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass hand bottle opener #4224. This whimsical 1950's hand bottle opener by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 Patinated Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4099 patinated brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass....
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4965 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #4965 patinated brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböc...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #5039 'Jingle Bell' Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #5039 'Jingle Bell' Paperweight. Originally designed by Carl Auböck III in the early 1960s, this handmade piece was inspired by charming sl...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener, Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Oversized MidCentury Paper Clip Brass Paperweight, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A vintage original old giant XXL brass paper clip from the 1950s, to be used as a paperweight. Designed and executed by Carl Aubock, Austria. In good...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4965 Hook in Nickel
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #4965 hook in nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Produce...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Carl Auböck Model #9038 Knob in Nickel
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9038 knob in nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. I...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4102 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4102 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Produced...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #8040-1 Patinated Brass Knob
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #8040-1 patinated brass knob. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in patinated brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria....
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #5439 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #5439 patinated brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in darkly patinated and polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböc...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4995 Hook in Nickel
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4995 hook in nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. P...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Carl Auböck Model #5439 Hook in Nickel
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #5439 hook in nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Produce...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Carl Auböck Model #4330/1 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4330/1 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 Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Heart Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
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

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4982 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4982 polished brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Pr...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Paperweight in Leather and Stone, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight in leather and stone, Austria, 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone

Carl Auböck Model #5261 Hook in Nickel
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #5261 hook in nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. ...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Carl Auböck Model #8040-2 Polished Brass Knob
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #8040-2 polished brass knob. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. I...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #7127 Letter Opener "Flat", Austria, 2022
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7127 letter opener "Flat", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Aubock Sculpture "Man With Stick" 4060
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Sculpture "Man With Stick" 4060. This beautifully crafted sculpture first conceived in the 1950's by Carl Aubock is a wonderful examp...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #8040-2 Patinated Brass Knob
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #8040-2 patinated brass knob. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in patinated brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria....
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Grouping of Eight Carl Auböck Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Grouping of eight Carl Auböck brass bookends. Includes one pair each of Models #3651, #3652, #3653 & #3654. Designed in the 1950s, these inc...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3652 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3652 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Produce...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4867 'Egg' Polished Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4867 'Egg' 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

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends
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. Produced...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Paperknife #4233
Located in Berlin, DE
Paperknife by Carl Auböck with glanced splint.
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Large Carl Auböck Model #4751 'Paperclip' Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4751 'Paperclip' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstät...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Letter Opener, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Leather and Brass Letter Opener, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #7211 Letter Opener "Turned", Austria 2022
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7211 letter opener "Turned", Austria 2022.
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Cactus Holder, Vienna, Around 1950s by Auböck
Located in Wien, AT
Cactus holder Vienna around 1950s by Auböck. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4982 Hook in Nickel
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4982 hook in nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in softly brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. ...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Carl Auböck Paperweight "Foot", Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight "Foot" in Brass, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck #6086-1 Paperweight or Paperknife, Austria 2022
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass paperknife by Carl Auböck.  
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #8040-1 Knob in Nickel
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #8040-1 Knob in Nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Its mi...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Carl Auböck Model #8040-2 Knob in Nickel
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #8040-2 knob in nickel. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in brushed nickel by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. Its mi...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel

Carl Auböck Brush, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Letter brush made of horn and horsehair, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

Carl Auböck Letter Opener in Leather and Brass, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck leather and brass letter opener, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Horn Penrest, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Horn Penrest, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

Carl Auböck Model #8040-1 Polished Brass Knob
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #8040-1 polished brass knob. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese knob is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Austria. I...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4056 Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck brass #4056 brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese candleholder is executed in polished brass by Werkstätte C...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Letter Opener, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck letter opener in horn, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

Carl Auböck #3650 Large Fountainpen Rest "Feather", Austria
Located in Berlin, DE
Auböck solid patinated brass tray in a feather shape. .
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Horn Pen Holder, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck horn pen holder, Austria, 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

Carl Auböck Paperweight "Pipe", Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck paperweight "pipe" in brass, Austria 1960s.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1937 'Bamboo' Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1937 'Bamboo' bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed hand cut and polished bamboo and brass....
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Model #4327 Nickel-Plated Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4327 nickel-plated hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist Viennese hook is executed in nickel-plated brass by Werkst...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Nickel

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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