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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
Period: Mid-20th Century
Ashtray or Bowl, Solid Brass for Desk or Table, 1960s, Italy
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful solid brass ashtray, very heavy 1.8 kg. Measure: 16 x 16 x 2.5 cm.   
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

Pair of French Early Modern Adjustable Aluminum Table/Desk Lamps by Pirette 1930
By Pirette
Located in New York, NY
Two French early modern desk or table lamps in aluminum with movable and adjustable diffusers by Pirette. The pieces show the influence of Modern, Industrial and French Art Deco ...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Stunning Vintage Tray / Sculpture Made of Brazilian Rosewood Unknown Author
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Solid Brazilian rosewood tray, with aluminum details. This peace is a huge vintage tray and also an amazing sculpture of a fish. This is one of...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Italian Elephant Sculpture Silver Plated and Marble, 1960s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Sculpture of elephant silver plated and marble base, also can be used as holder for things like jewellery or keys, perfect for a sideboard or as decora...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Silver Plate

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

Blenko Desk Weight
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon and handmade glass desk weight in luminous tones of amber and red advertising the Blenko Glass works.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Pelican Blanc Glass Money Valve with Pelican Bird, Switzerland, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage Money Valve - Ramasse-Monnaie for The White Pelican. Vintage Counter Display - Advertising Display. The White Pelican is known for the high quality of Fountain Pens , Ballpoints and Ink. This heavy and stabile glass Money Valve was used to put on counters nearby the Cash Desk...
Category

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

Materials

Glass

Rare Umbrella Stand “Bighe” designed by Piero Fornasetti, Italy circa 1960
Located in Stockholm, SE
Piero Fornasetti umbrella stand “Bighe”. Lithographically printed metal and brass. Italy, circa 1960. Marked: FORNASETTI MILANO, MADE IN ITALY. Gold label: MADE EXPRESSLY FOR OHLSSO...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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

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

Mid-Century Modern Venini Centerpiece Murano Black Glass Layered Glass White
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-Century Modern Venini centerpiece Murano black glass, layered glass white the two little. Big one measure cm: H 7 Diam. 47 thickness 6mm Little one measure cm: H 3.8 Diam. ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Mid-Century Walnut Pencil or Pen Holder by Sergio Dello Strologo for Xilarte
By Xilarte, Sergio Dello Strologo
Located in Austin, TX
A highly sculptural Mid-Century pen or pencil holder and temper by Sergio Dello Strologo for Xilarte, Milano, Italy. Crafted of finely figured, turned walnut. The 12 slender, cylind...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Pair of Vintage Brass Bowls by Franz Hagenauer, 1950s, Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
A mid century modern pair of wonderful Franz Hagenauer brass bowls, 1950s, Vienna, which are engraved with Hagenauer Wien, handmade, made in Aust...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage English Metal Diamond Patterned Vase or Pen Holder Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful English vintage graphic cylinder and or vase period black metal vase with textured diamond patterned indented silver is unusual. It could be used for makeup brushes...
Category

1960s Welsh Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Silver

Vintage Bronze and Marble Roman Sandaled Paperweight Sculpture Fornasetti Style
Located in North Miami, FL
This Fornsetti style vintage paperweight, sculpture and desk accessory has a patinated bronze roman foot atop a white marble base. The bronze has bee...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

"Wyoming" Oil on Canvas by Robert Frame '1924-1999' Signed
By Robert Frame
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a beautiful, original framed, landscape painting entitled "Wyoming" by Robert Aaron Frame. The colors are rich, vibrant and bold. Set in a w...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Canvas

Bronze Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculpture by Albers Henselmann
Located in North Miami, FL
This heavy bronze abstract Mid-Century Modern sculpture entitled "Worshipper" is by a sculptor named Albers Henselmann, circa 1890-1974. The original label is on the bottom. From eve...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Murano Table Cloth or Letter Holder Two-Toned Green Glass
Located in Weiningen, CH
Rare Murano table cloth or letter holder two-toned green glass.
Category

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

Materials

Glass

Mary Preminger Vintage Abstract Chrome and Black Marble Sculpture Modernist
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous vintage double U-shaped abstract sculpture by the noted artist Mary Preminger is so modernist. It is chrome on a black marble original base. It was executed in 1968. It...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Chrome

Horsehair Brush
By Mohawk
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A beautifully crafted garment brush made of warmly-toned walnut and soft horsehair.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Carl Auböck Brass Pipe Modernist Paperweight #5188, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
An Austrian brass paperweight, displaying a pipe, designed an executed in the 1950s by Carl Aubock, Vienna. Model #5188. A very decorative item, in very good condition. Marked.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck III, 1960s, Alphabetical 'L' Shaped Walnut Clothes Brush
Located in London, GB
L-shaped coat brush designed and made by Carl Auböck III, Vienna, circa 1960. The model 5000 alphabetical clothes brushes were designed in 1961 and a ...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Huge Signed Tomasso Barbi Picture Frame in Brass and Glass
Located in Berlin, BE
Wonderful huge photo or picture frame from Tomasso Barbi (signed). The frame is made of gold plated brass and Murano glass. An ultimative rare and beautiful piece. A matching second ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Gold Plate

XX Century Silver Plated Hare Inkwell
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Decorative XX century inkwell or box representing a silver plated hare.
Category

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

Materials

Silver Plate

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

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk Secretary
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Very rare desk secretary designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Functional five drawers and letter slots on turned brass knobs and feet. With original Dunb...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Early "Malta" Model 3029A Marble Letter Holder by Enzo Mari for Danese, 1960
Located in Koper, SI
Iconic and rare letter holder by the Italian design master Enzo Mari, in white marble, designed in 1960 and produced for a short period by Danese.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Vintage Miniature Royal Crown Cola Six-Pack Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool vintage miniature "Royal Crown Cola" six-pack paperweight, circa 1960’s. The piece is in good vintage condition and measures 2.625"W x 2"D x 3"H. Really fun and hard ...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Paper

Pair of Italian Mid-Century Solid Gilt Brass Photo Frame, Italy 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Delightful pair of small Italian picure frames finely crafted and engraved in solid brass. These extraordinary jewel frames were made in Italy in the 1950s. Entirely made of golden ...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Danish Modern Teak "Catch All" by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Danish modern teak "catch all" by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1960s. The piece is in great vintage condition and measures 11"W x 9.25"D x 1.75"H; it has three divided compartmen...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Murano Clear Glass Paperweight Air Bubbles Included 1960s
Located in Florence, IT
Murano Clear Glass Paperweight Air Bubbles Included, it could be also a desk accessory. The glass sculture is solid and heavy, the air bubbles have been...
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

Midcentury Amber Glass Paper Weight By Borske Sklo, 1960s
Located in Zohor, SK
Unique vintage desk paperweight. Produced by Borske Sklo in 1960s. Original amber color of the glass which is rare to see and find. The glass has the bubbles inside which were hand p...
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

HL-70 Personal Desk Fan by Reinhold Weiss for Braun
Located in San Diego, CA
HL-70 personal desk fan by Reinhold Weiss for Braun, circa 1960s. The cylindrical fan, in white on acrylic base, features the fan blades in the left-hand section and a switch for two intensity levels. The fan is in very good vintage condition and measures 2.5"W x 2.5"D x 6"H. This iconic piece is one of Braun's most popular items and is part of the permanent collection of MoMA and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York. #2974 The design was created under the supervision of Dieter Rams who was the head of design at Braun from 1961 to 1995. Rams designed over 500 pieces ranging from audio systems...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Vintage Gucci Bamboo and Leather and Gold Gilt Desk Accessory Pen Holder Cup
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Gucci desk accessory made from bamboo and leather with the gold gilt Gucci signature on the bottom. The perfect pen cup (or pen holder, pen stand...
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Bamboo

Mid-Century Brazilian Modern Pen Holder in Brazilian Rosewood
Located in New York, NY
This Brazilian mid-century modern pen holder is handcrafted with Brazilian rosewood (also known as jacaranda), and has a deep, dark, and rich tone with a stunning natural wood grain....
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Fornasetti Hand Painted Ceramic Paperweight Stone Knick-Knacks
Located in Brooklyn, NY
If there is such thing as a museum quality Knick-knack, the Fornasetti stone shaped paperweight is it. We are pleased to offer a set of eight, two from the Zodiac series, two from th...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

France 1950 Soubrenie Et Bois Paris Precious Agate Jeweled Box 18kt Gold & Jade
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional jeweled box designed by Soubrenie Et Bois. Gorgeous and beautiful gem set decorative piece, created at the jewelry atelier of Soubrenie et...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate, Multi-gemstone, Gold

Vintage Italian Alabaster Owl Table Lighter
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Italian Alabaster Owl Table Lighter. Whimsical sculpture owl lighter in alabaster very collectible made in Italy. Glass eyes, red and beige tone ...
Category

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

Materials

Alabaster

Les Sept Péchés Capitaux Paperweight by Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A solid cast bronze paperweight entitled "Les Sept Péchés Capitaux" (The Seven Deadly Sins) by French Parisin art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997 ) circa 1945-46. The lovely piece features cast relief of seven caricatured faces with humorous expression that represents the seven sins...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Aldo TURA Milan Italy Mute Servant Lidded Vessel 60s Mid Century Object
Located in Munster, NRW
An Aldo Tura Milan Italy Mute Servant Lidded Vessel from the 60s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Nickel-Plated Brass Leather Letter Opener, Paper Knife, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and solid nickel-plated brass letter opener or paper knife with black leather handle from the 1950s, designed an executed by Carl Auböck, Vienna / Austria. Marked item in...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Mid-Century Modern Sharp Stainless & Brass Scissors Made in Italy, 1960s
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Scissors Mid-Century Modern sharp stainless steel & brass Italian scissors made in italy 1960s Measures: 9.25L x 2.5 W x 0.19 thick inches Stamped Italy Original preowned unresto...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Mid Century Blue Fiberglass Batters Helmet by American Baseball Cap Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Designed by Ralph D. Davia in 1954. Fiberglass baseball hitters hemet. Lightweight and strong. Original label Reads American baseball hat co. Media Penna.
Category

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

Materials

Fiberglass

1950s Modern Advertising Letter Opener Hill Desk Accessory
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern Advertising Letter Opener by Hill. The letter opener has the original cover in faux leather with hammered texture. The metal had...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Unique & Hand Crafted Vintage 1960s Soccer Ball / Wooden Football Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted soccer ball of many woodtypes. This rare and beautifully made soccer ball is in excellent condition and it is made in the same size as a real one. This fine example from...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Josef Hoffmann Accessory for Bieffeplast
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Elegant and strikingly minimal Bauhaus designs by Josef Hoffmann. Measure: 4.24” square and 4” high. Showing little if any use.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Maison Lancel Golf Silver Paperweight, France, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
Mid-Century Modern desk accessory golf silver paperweight by Maison Lancel, France, 1960s. In an excellent condition.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

1950s Vintage Distressed Leather Men's Wallet
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage distressed leather men's wallet 1950s. Measures: 3.5" x 4.25", 8.90 opened. Distressed condition unrestored vintage.
Category

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

Materials

Leather

Stitched Leather Desk Set, France, 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Fabulous large stitched brown leather desk set, French, 1960s. This set consists of the following eleven items: - Desk clock (in good working order) - Two bookends - Letter hold...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

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

Jacques Adnet Attributed Office Set
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Office set design attributed to Jacques Adnet. Manufactured in France, circa 1950. All in leather with brass details. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

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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