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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
Holder for 3 pipes by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Holder for 3 pipes by walter bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Bottle-Shaped Sculpture in Travertine, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful bottle shaped sculpture made entirely of travertine marble. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine, Marble

Pencile Holder Fish by Hertha Baller, Vienna, around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Pencile holder fish by Hertha Baller, Vienna, around 1950s Original condition The pencile is only for the photoshooting (not included).
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage 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

Midcentury Stilnovo Desk or Table Lamp Brass Black Enameled Metal, Iataly, 1950s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Midcentury Stilnovo two-light desk or table lamp in brass with black enameled metal base and shade (inside off-white), Italy, 1950s. Beautiful, minimalistic design and in very good v...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Faux-Bamboo Brass Magazine Rack in the Style of Jacques Adnet
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice design faux-bamboo style magazine rack is made of brass. This is a French work In the style of Jacques Adnet.Ccirca 1970.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Heavy Solid Bronze Clover Shaped Paperweight, France, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Patinated bronze paperweight.  
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Midcentury Double Letter Tray by Peter Pepper Products
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and functional double letter tray by Peter Pepper Products, circa 1970s. The trays are made of solid oak with aluminum dividers. The set i...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Danish Modern Money Bank in Teak and Silver Plate by DANA DFA, 1960
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Christening Gift given in 1960 (inscription to the back). Figural money bank of hooded man. Its made from silver plated metal and teak. Manufactured a...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Carl Aubock Patinated Brass Bookends #4636
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock patinated brass bookends #4636. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, original m...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Gordon Martz Marshall Studios Ceramic Bookends ca' 1950's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of stylish, 1950s bookends by Gordon Martz. Circular pattern,beige ceramic tiles, inset into walnut frames, with brass extensions. Heavy and well made.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Leather and Reptile Mexican Brass Trimmed Folding Blotter with Pockets
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sophisticated and classic blotter made in Mexico. The piece is trimmed in solid brass with a leather framework and reptile / snake facing / folding flaps with pockets on the oppos...
Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Danish Rosewood Box with Gilt Enamel Detail
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous deep purple enameled Danish rosewood jewelry or desk box with gilt enameled detail. Wooden interior and bottom.
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Rosewood

Signed Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Foot Paperweight Handmade Sculpture
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist paperweight in the shape of a foot, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Puiforcat 20th Century Desk Accessories Letter Holder Silver and Wood
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Puiforcat Elegant letter holder in silver and wood by Puiforcat 20th century desk accessories, circa 1970 Original good conditions Signed under the base Measures: Heig...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Murano Vintage Millefiori Flower Mosaic Italian Art Glass Pedestal Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and unusual, tall vintage Murano hand blown dark pink and white flower murrines Italian art glass pedestal paperweight. Attributed to the Fratelli Toso company. The paperwe...
Category

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

Materials

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

Orrefors Sweden Crystal Gorilla Paperweight Desk Accessory
Located in Ferndale, MI
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Gorilla paperweight figurine. Original label intact, etched signature, Orrefors GC 480715.
Category

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

Materials

Crystal

Penholder Vienna, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Penholder Vienna, circa 1950s Original condition (The pen is not included).
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage Caithness Uranus Planet Paperweight by Colin Ferris & Peter Holmes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine limited edition glass paperweight by Caithness. Entitled 'Uranus'. From the Planet Series of paperweights by Colin Ferris & Peter Holmes. No. 71 from an edition of 500. Simply a wonderfully rare paperweight...
Category

1970s Scottish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

1950s German Newspaper Advertising Tin Clips Midcentury Graphic Design Set
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Small collection of light duty metal clips, from German newspapers. Silkscreen on thin metal. All working. Kölnische Zeitung (Cologne Gazette) Frankfurter Rundschau Rheinische P...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Tin

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

Italian Pewter Owl Bust Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well cast Italian pewter owl bust paperweight from retailer Buffums, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3"W 2.25"D x...
Category

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

Materials

Pewter

Polished Breccia Marble Sphere Sculpture
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A sculptural object of tactile allure and visual intrigue, this Italian marble sphere dates to the 1980s and is meticulously carved from Breccia marble, prized for its dynamic veinin...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Breccia Marble

Two Peter Max Op Pop Mod Disco Era Mens Wide Ties
Located in Ferndale, MI
Two brightly colored ties in abstract design by Peter Max. On the wide side 4.75" at 54" long. Sold and labeled by famous mid west clothing store Hughes Hatcher Suffrin. Signed with ...
Category

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

Materials

Silk

Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950 Original condition Pencil not included
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Vintage Ship Porthole Wing Dog Bolt Brass Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool vintage ship porthole wing dog bolt brass paperweight, circa 1940s. The piece has a well worn brass patina and measures 3.25"W x 1.5"...
Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Shoehorn wood and brass around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Shoehorn wood and brass around 1950s Brass and wood
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Rohac notes paper holder ( for business Cards ) around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Rohac notes paper holder ( for business Cards ) around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

Functional unused phone in top condition, Tesla T65H 1969, Czech Republic
Located in Praha, CZ
- Never used, in original box top condition !!!! - Fully functional. - Tesla manufacturer.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Rosenthal Fornasetti Porcelain Paperweight, Rosenthal Classic, Libreria Pattern
Located in Downingtown, PA
Rosenthal Fornasetti Porcelain Paperweight, Rosenthal Classic, Dekor Libreria Pattern, (Library), 1980s The circular Fornasetti porcelain paperweight has a continuous scene of books...
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Carl Aubock Ball Tripod Candlestick Walnut Candle Holder, Austria 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely Midcentury Modern candleholder from the 1950s, designed and crafted by Werkstätte Carl Auböck. This nice piece features a ball-shaped design with a tripod base and is made f...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Cellar Quilted Leather Desk Set. French work in the Style of Jacques Adnet
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This desk set is composed of a beautiful table lamp, a pen holder and a briefcase. These are made of cellar quilted leather, brass and glass. This is a French work in the style of fa...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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

Midcentury Pair of Tape Dispenser in Lucite by Felice Antonio Botta, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of tape dispensers in transparent lucite and opaque black details by the Italian designer Felice Antonio Botta. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Travertine Marble Letter Pen Holder Fratelli Mannelli Rapolano, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Pen and letter holder, cylindrical shape, in travertine marble by Fratelli Mannelli. Rapolano, Italy, circa 1970. It still has its original label on the bottom (as shown in the p...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine, Marble

Midcentury Perforated Metal Letter Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
Petite black enameled letter holder, circa 1950s, simple design in original finish great decorative piece.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

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

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

Elephant Figure in the Style of Sergio Bustamante
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Elephant Figure in the style of Sergio Bustamante, circa 1960. The elephant has a missing tusk (pic4).
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Murano Gambaro Poggi Green Red Blue Italian Art Glass Turtle Figure Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand green, red, and blue Italian art glass sea turtle figurine / sculpture. The piece is documented to the Gambaro & Poggi company, with an original "Vetrer...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

French Mid Century Blue and Black Matte Ceramic Key Holder or Vide Poche
Located in Miami, FL
French mid century blue and black matte ceramic key holder/vide-poche from Vallauris, France. Use this good quality ceramic piece as an essential k...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

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

1970s Antonio Da Ros 'Attr.' for Cenedese Clear Murano Spiral Glass Paperweights
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare pair of Mid-Century Modern vintage signed cone shaped paperweights with grey spiral inclusion within the clear glass. The design of this conical shaped desk paperweight / orname...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

1960s Valet Clothes Brush Noris Imports West Germany
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Valet Duster Equestrian Brush MCM Noris West Germany 1.63 h x 10.25 w x 12.75 long maker stamped Noris Imports West Germany Genuine Hide Original vintage condition Refer to im...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Carl Auböck Model #4224 'Hand' Brass Bottle Opener
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4224 'Hand' brass bottle opener. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural bottle opener is executed in polished brass. Price is per item. Th...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Set of Two Kosta Boda Crystal Paperweights Mushroom & Owl by Lindstrand, Warff
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Set of two hand blown clear crystal paperweights by Kosta Boda, Sweden. This set includes one mushroom paperweight designed by Goran Warff, and one owl paperweight designed by Vicke Lindstrand. Both are signed and numbered and the mushroom...
Category

1970s Scandinavian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Seguso Murano Red Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Pear Dish Apple Paperweight Set
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown red-orange and gold flecks Italian art glass ring dish and paperweight set. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, in the "Pulveri" technique. Both pieces are profusely covered in gold leaf. The apple still retains an original but worn "Made In Italy" label underneath. Would make a great display on any desk, vanity or bedside table. Apple paperweight measures 2 5/8" high x 3 1/4" across, Pear bowl...
Category

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

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

Four Small Pencile or Candle Holder Vienna Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Four small pencile or candle holder vienna around 1950s Hammered brass Original condition       
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Petrified Wood Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of petrified wood bookends.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Petrified Wood

Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s for Table Vienna around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s for table vienna around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Manual Typewriter, HCESAR Keyboard from MESSA
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Manual typewriter, HCESAR keyboard from MESSA. With a robust design, beige structure and chrome-plated metal details. The ‘HCESAR’ keyboard features raised, dark-coloured round keys,...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Manual Typewriter AZERTY keyboard, by OLYMPIA, Regina de Luxe
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Manual typewriter, AZERTY keyboard, by OLYMPIA, Regina de Luxe. With a beige structure, chrome-plated metal details and black keys. The top roller, where the paper is inserted, allow...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

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, as pictured.
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Paperweights Wooden clothespin Faux leather Handstitched, France 1960's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Paperweight Wooden clothespin Faux leather Handstitched, France 1960's. In Black and Red.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Faux Leather

Set of Five File Folders in Wicker and Brass, Italy, 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Five big file folders in wicker and brass details made in Italy in the 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

1950s Chiesa Pietro Design Fontana Arte Italy Paperweight Chiseled Glass
Located in Biella, IT
Chiesa Pietro design by Fontana Arte Italy, sculpture chiselled glass years 60. Measure; 17 cm x 11 x 6 cm - 6.5 inches x 2.2" x2.3".
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

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

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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