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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 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Set of Two Midcentury Pen or Pencil Holders Deyhle, Germany, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare types and color - very practical
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Carl Auböck Paperknife #7209
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass paperknife #7209 by Carl Auböck.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Table Fan PAL, 220V, 30W Central Europe in the 1980s
Located in Praha, CZ
In good original and functional condition. Silent run.
Category

1980s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Carved Marble Onyx Stone Aztec Mayan Tribal Bookends
Located in West Hollywood, CA
These pieces are meticulously carved from onyx stone, featuring detailed depictions of tribal Aztec or Mayan faces. The rich, natural hues of the marble bring warmth and depth, makin...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #4637 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #4637 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Price i...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Stylized Sterling Modernism Trinket Bowl by Juvento Lopez Reyes, Mexico
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stylized sterling modernism trinket Bowl by Juvento Lopez Reyes, Mexico.. In keeping with the modernist style, it has a clean and sleek design. No etching or work, just an edgy and m...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Carl Auböck Model #4086 Patinated Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck brass #5439 patinated brass hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese hook is executed in polished and patinated brass by Werkstätte Carl Auböck...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary 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

Vintage Mid-Century Wood Plank Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique and simply exceptional pair of vintage bookends. Deriving on the uniqueness of the wood grain, these bookends are elegant and modernist. Simple lines contrast with organic pat...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Ceramic Sculpture Cat/Royal Dux, 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

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

Salviati Murano White Orange Blue Murrines Italian Art Glass Cabinet Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white Filigrana ribbons, red-orange aventurine and blue millefiori canes Italian art glass cabinet vase. Documented to Salviati & Co., with intact...
Category

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

Materials

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

Vintage Cut Geode Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice vintage cut geode paper weight, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good condition with wonderful brown, tan, grey and blue colors and measures 4...
Category

15th Century and Earlier American Antique Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Petrified Wood

Carl Aubock, Letter Opener, Leather and Brass, Austria, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Letter opener by Carl Auböck. Made in brass with leather handle, Austria, 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Hermes Style French Handstitched Brown Leather Desk Clock by Bayard, 1950´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Handsome French Handstitched brown leather desk clock by Bayard. Great Restored condition. Keeps good time. Excellent patina. Great vintage condition. Paul Dupré-Lafon / Adnet Style...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid-Century Coffee Grinder, 1950’s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Germany Made of Wood, Metal,Steel The worm is no longer active Original condition.
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Steel

Dice Chrome Metal Statue Paper Weight Mid-Century Modern, German, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Super cool Art Deco design sculptural "High Roller" dice statue or paperweight. Nice metal dice atop a metal base. Was made as a journeyman's piece. The journeyman's piece is a centr...
Category

1980s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Mid century vintage handblown Murano glass paperweight
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage handblown glass Murano paperweight. This paperweight has a unique design in that the interior of the glass looks like tortoiseshell with beautiful tones of dark brown, Amber and gold. This vintage paperweight...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte Hand-chiseled ticket holder Mid-Century Italy 40s
Located in Palermo, IT
Hand-chiseled crystal office card holder. Designed by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1940s. The thickness of the crystal is 2.3 cm. Nile green color. Very rare and valuable a...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Glass Aquarium Paperweight with Fishes
Located in Oirlo, LI
Glass Aquarium Paperweight with Fishes Additional information: Dimensions: 7 W x 7 D x 7 H cm Period of Time: 1960 Condition: Good
Category

20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century French Signed Daum Paperweight Sculpture in Clear Crystal
By Daum
Located in COLMAR, FR
A magnificent, crystal desktop paperweight by renowned French crystal maker Daum. This is a unique, hand-made piece in transparent crystal, engraved on the bottom edge with the recog...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Slat Magazine Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern walnut slat magazine holder, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 16.5" W x 7.75" D x 12.5" H. #1527.
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Carl Auböck Model #4630 Large Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck model #4630 large brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. Price is for the pair....
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Design Telephone by Tesla, 1979, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
Vintage telephone ,manufacterd by TESLA in 1979, made in Czechoslovakia. Made of plastic and metal. Repolished, cleaned, shows minor signs of use. Fully functional.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Solid Brass Polished Screw Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A heavy and over sized Polished brass Screw. The piece is quite attractive and ready for any desk or work station in need of a paperweight.. whimsical and classic design. The piece...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Functional Tesla Phone 1985, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition , - Unused, original packaging - Fully functional. - Tesla manufacturer typ- Es 4620
Category

1980s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

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

Don Shoemaker Desk Top Business Card Holder
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare business card holder made in Cocobolo and granadillo wood, includes Original label of Señal S.A., circa 1970.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Cocobolo

Restored Calculator, NISA, Czechoslovakia, 1958
Located in Praha, CZ
The entire machine is expertly disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, all repaired and fully functional The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the age...
Category

1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique National Cash Register Danish
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
National cash register. Designed for transactions in Danish kroner (Kroner Øre). Constructed primarily of wood with metal buttons and crank. The machine has several columns of number...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Gentlemans Gardner Kates Solid Leather Desk Dresser Box Humidor
By Gardner Kates
Located in Ferndale, MI
Very nicely made stacked and laminated solid saddle leather forming a cylinder box with solid leather lid and finial handle.
Category

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

Materials

Leather

Set of Four Carl Auböck Brass Objects
Located in Glendale, CA
Set of four Carl Auböck brass objects. Includes Carl Auböck model #4072/G 'Rooster' brass bell, model #3600 'Crown' brass bowl, model #3514 brass bowl and model #4224 'Hand' brass b...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century West German Space Age Desk Utensilo, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century West German Space Age Desk Utensilo, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Plastic Color: Green Styles: Mid-Century M...
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

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

Mid-20h Century Golden Brass and Leather Letter Opener/Knife by Hermès, France
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-20h century golden brass and leather letter opener/knife by the luxury design house Hermès Paris, France By: Hermès Paris Material: metal, brass, leather, copper, zinc Technique...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass, Copper, Zinc

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

John Deacon Presse-papiers Millefiori with Radial Twist, 1975
Located in Oirlo, LI
John Deacon Presse-papiers Millefiori with Radial Twist, 1975 Additional information: Dimensions: 6 W x 6 D x 4 H cm Period of Time: 1975 Country of origin: Scotland Condition: Good
Category

20th Century Scottish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Porcelain Jewelry Dish Rosenthal Studio-Line by Designer Raymond Peynet
Located in New York, NY
A German white porcelain jewelry dish with whimsical design by designer Raymond Peynet for Rosenthal Studio-Line, Midcentury Modern period, circa mid-20th century, Germany. Dish show...
Category

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

Materials

Porcelain

1980s Plated Brass Bridge Bolts Bookends Paperweights Quirky Vintage Mid-Century
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Brass electroplated Bridge Bolts as bookends or office decor. Each about 5 lbs. and 3.5 wide by 4 inches high. Appropriated objects similar conceptually to the works of the Carl Aubo...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

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

Vintage Mid-Century Alabaster Owl Paperweight
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage paperweight desk accessory in the shape of an owl. This unique piece could be best suited in a library setting on a desk or bookshelf. Marked Italy
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Functional Tesla Phone 1982, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - Fully functional. - Tesla manufacturer typ- 3600
Category

1980s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Abraham Palatnik (Brazil) 7" Horse, from the 'Artemis Collection'
Located in NEWTOWN, AU
Born in the city of Natal, Northeastern Brazil, Abraham Palatnik moved to Israel as a child. There he studied mechanics, physics and developed the typical qualities of an inventor. ...
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Midcentury Functional Tesla Phone 1960s, Československo
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition. - Fully functional. - Tesla manufacturer.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Bakelite

Andrew Szoeke "L" Monogram Marquetry Wood Cube Paperweight
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a rare and wonderful monogram "L" cube or paperweight by American designer, Andrew Szoeke. This cube combines Szoeke's mastery of graphic art and typography with inlaid wood ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Found Art Scuplture Perfectly Patinated Type Writer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Found art perfectly patinated type writer ready for immediate viewing. Great for the producer, writer or secretary in you lovely sitting atop a pile of boo...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Vintage Italian Silver Dog Pen Tray - Dachshunds c.1968
Located in Bath, GB
An absolutely charming desk-top pen tray made from solid Italian silver (800/1000) in Venice by Rossi & Arcandi in the late 1960's. A wonderful subject, the tray is has the front wi...
Category

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

Materials

Silver

1970's Antonio Da Ros 'Attr.' for Cenedese Clear Murano Bubble Glass Paperweight
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare, Mid-Century Modern vintage signed cone shaped paperweight with singular trapped air bubble inclusion within the clear glass. The design of this conical shaped desk paperweight ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

1970's Sergio Todeschini Bobo Telephone for Telcer, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
Unique model of dial plastic phone by Sergio Todeschini, made in Italy in the 1970's.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Brass Table Bell by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Solid brass blackened, designed by Walter Bosse produced by Hertha Baller in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Set of Three Marble Obelisk Paper Weight Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three black marble obelisks. The trio are a nice decorative addition to the desk or shelf, however could easily be paper weights or bookends. A very nice set of three black with whit...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

1950 Italian Pair of Organic Crystal, Yellow & Red Murano Art Glass Flower Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of organic Murano glass vases of clean rectangular modern shape, attributed to Seguso, the linear design enhanced by the triple Sommerso technique: the crystal clear blown gla...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass

Polish Brass and Lucite Desk Accessories set by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1960’s polish brass and clear lucite desk accessories by renowned designer Charles Hollis Jones. CHJ first designs were accessories, that ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome, Brass

Vintage Mary Preminger Abstract Modernist Chrome and Black Marble Sculpture
By Mary Gardner Preminger
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous vintage double U-shaped abstract sculpture by the noted artist Mary Preminger is so modernist. It is polished chrome on a black marble original base. It was executed in...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Chrome

Robert P Gottlieb MOMA Desk Accessory Tape Dispenser Lucite / Chromed Steel
Located in Doraville, GA
Vintage lucite and chromed steel tape dispenser manufactured by Two's Company, Mount Vernon, NY. Robert P. Gottlieb is associated with the dispenser, but little is known about Gottli...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Marked Vetreria Artistica Oball Murano Art Glass Multi-Color Paperweight Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Original Italian Vetreria Artistica Oball Murano glass, art glass blended cobalt blue, green and rose color paperweight. Marked Oball Murano underneath an...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Silver Plated Commercial Ice or Hay Hooks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver plate ice tongs hay hooks, when you move your ice or pick up the hay. Be the chicest with your block! This pair of Ice / hay tongs are a great deco...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Oak desk organizer by Borge Mogensen for ILLUMS BOLIGHUS
Located in Greensboro, NC
Oak desk organizer by Borge Mogensen, circa 1960s. retains its original ILLUMS BOLIGHUS label. Shows minor wear commensurate with age and use. Original paint, mild wear to drawers ...
Category

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

Materials

Oak

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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