Skip to main content

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.

15
1,218
100
5
to
280
690
586
1,323
1,323
1,323
827
540
321
241
169
76
64
63
57
49
46
41
38
35
31
29
22
8
4
1,206
105
12
798
263
2
2
12
151
192
175
34
2
Height
to
Width
to
626
402
294
237
225
1,050
476
225
175
143
175
26
23
21
20
Style: Mid-Century Modern
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

1960s Austrian Cow Horn Comb by Carl Aubock
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant comb hand carved from cow horn with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

1960s Austrian Cow Horn Comb by Carl Auböck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant comb hand carved from cow Horn with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

1960s Austrian Cow Horn Comb by Carl Auböck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant comb hand carved from cow horn with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

1960s Vase, Tapio Wirkkala for Venini Attributed, Lattimo Murano Glass
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-Century Modern Murano vase, Tapio Wirkkala for Venini attributed, lattimo Murano glass decorated About: Designed in 1968 by Tapio Wirkkala, these b...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

1960s Austrian Cow Horn Comb by Carl Auböck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant comb hand carved from cow horn with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

1960s Austrian Cow Horn Brush by Carl Auböck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant brush hand carved from cow Horn with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

Italian Modern Ruby Red Lidded Jar in Glass by Empoli, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Organically shaped hand blown ruby red glass lidded jar or trinket from Empoli. Manufactured in Italy during the 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

1960s Austrian Cow Horn Brush by Carl Auböck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant brush hand carved from cow horn with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern.
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn

Fishing Spear Wall Thermometer, European, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Fishing spear wall thermometer, European, 1950s.
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Pewter

Christian Dior, Pencil Holder in Silver Metal, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Christian Dior, pencil holder in silver metal, circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

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

Pair of Italian Architectural Chromed Steel Chain Links Bookends, circa 1970
Located in New York, NY
This pair of extremely heavy chain links bookends are of 1970s Italian Architectural design. Although functional if used as intended, they form a kind of very interesting geometrical...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stainless Steel

1970s by Renato Toso Murano Glass Pair of Stone Paperweights
Located in Brescia, IT
"Sassi" by Renato Toso, 1970 Clear and black Murano glass Excellent condition, just slight sign (look at the picture).
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Mazzega Glass Objects, Italy, 1970, Set of 18
Located in Munich, DE
Set of 18 wonderful Murano glass objects by Mazzega, Italy, 1970s. Measures: One H 14.5 W 28 D 5 cm. Nine H 12 W 5 D 5 cm. Eight H 12 W 15 D 5 cm.  
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano 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

Gold Plate Letter Opener with Felt Case
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gold plate letter opener with felt case. A beauty on any desk - a great gift for Father's Day.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold Plate

Blenko Glass Shell Bookends
Located in New York, NY
1970s Blenko glass clear glass shell bookends.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Curtis Jere American, 1910-2008 Jump Rope, Bronze
Located in Buchanan, MI
Curtis Jere (American, 1910-2008) jump rope. Bronze figure of a girl jumping rope. Signed "C. Jere" along the base Measure: 10.5" x 6" x 4".
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Rare Austrian Brass Matchbox Holder by Walter Bosse, circa 1954
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A rare 1950s brass matchbox holder by Austrian born designer Walter Bosse, circa 1954. Perfect for the gentleman or lady smoker and could also be used ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cat Figurine with Thermometer, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cat figurine with thermometer, 1950s Austrian desk thermometer, cat figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. Designed by Walter Bosse...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Enamel Bookends by Ernest John
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut and enamel bookends. Signed by Ernest John. The perfect accessory to a mid century office. Colorful and vibrant. These can parcel ship for $29 domes...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper, Enamel

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

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

Marble Desk Accessory Pocket Emptier Change Holder Key Holder
Located in Sacile, PN
Vide-poche (pocket emptier) in black and white marble, dated circa 1960.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

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

Fontana Arte Glass Notepad, Italy 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
A beautiful Fontana Arte two-colored glass notepad. Original label.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Tapio Wirkkala Line Cut Leaf Art Glass Objects/Bowls, Signed
Located in East Hampton, NY
This lovely and signed set of four glass pieces produced by Iittala in line cut engraved forms. Three of the larger bowls have full and distinct signatures along the edges. These exq...
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

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

Walter Bosse Midcentury Calf Cow Brass Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely calf / baby cow sculpture made of brass from the 1950s. Designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Herta Baller, Austria. In very good condition with marginal patina.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

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

Vintage Brushed Chrome And Beveled Glass Table Lamp, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern brushed chrome and glass table lamp. This tall and elegant table lamp shines brightly as the beveled glass reflects the light. There are two thick bands of chrome ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Ostrich Leather Handle Letter Opener with Brass Knife After Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ostrich handle letter opener with brass knife after Karl Springer. Beautifully designed, simple, elegant and functional for any desk, open letters or protect yourself!
Category

20th Century 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

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

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

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

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

Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass Vase
Located in Copenhagen, K
Smoked rifled brown tinted glass vase.
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Lucite Table Lamp, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern lucite table lamp. This tall modern lucite lamp has four striking columns which make a bold statement. The base is square and the center polished chrome stalk is a...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

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

Large Mid-Century Modern Polished Chrome Rectangular Pipe Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Mid-Century Modern polished chrome table lamp. Look at this fun lamp; open and shiny, it beckons to be put in any modern decor. Perfect in any room, thi...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

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

"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

Note Pad Holder Set by Cini and Nils
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of sleek, finely detailed and elegant notepad holders in black plastic, the smaller one having a fitted pen.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Decorative Midcentury Walnut Ball Tripod Candlestick Candleholder, Austria 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A very beautiful Viennese modernist candlestick from the 1950s, in the style of Carl Aubock. In the shape of a ball, with a nice tripod base, made of walnut wood. Excellent condition...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

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

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

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

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

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

Murano Art Glass Blue Glass Perfume Bottle with Stopper Italy 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Murano art glass perfume bottle with original stopper in light sky blue with black stripes and a clear stopper. Hand Blown glass in blue and black swirl. The perfume bottle h...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

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 Brass Anchor Paperweight
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful brass anchor paperweight, perfect for your lake house or beach house USA, Mid-20th Century Measures: 5"W x 4"D x 2.5"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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.

Recently Viewed

View All