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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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
Vintage Apple Pen-Holder in Green Hand-Blown Glass, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A decorative Hand-blown pen-holder or paperweight in green glass. Italian or Czech made circa 1970-80. The pens are obviously not included.
Measurements: H: 9 cm, Diameter: 8 cm.
Category
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Blown Glass
A.Ve.M. Murano Rainbow Silver Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Stripes Fish Figure
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown rainbow stripes, silver and gold flecks Italian art glass fish figurine. Attributed to the A.Ve.M. (Arte Vetraria Muranese) company. The fish has ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
Extra Large Desk Organizer or Letter Tray in Teak by Pedersen & Hansen
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional extra large Danish modern teak desk organizer or letter tray by Pedersen & Hansen, circa 1970s. There are seven horizontal letter trays, four vertical slots and two drawers. The piece has a very light colored finish and is in good vintage condition; it measures 47.75" W x 8.75" D x 6.5" H. This organizer is hard to find and a great addition to any MCM office...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Teak
$800 Sale Price
23% Off
Danish Modern Desk Organizer / Letter Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional Danish modern cherry veneer desk organizer / letter tray, circa 1970s. The piece is in excellent condition and measures 24" wide, 9.25" deep and 7" high. Beautiful ch...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cherry
1950s, Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Italian Smoking Set by Alfa Ceramiche
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A lovely Mid-Century Modern ceramic smoking set designed and manufactured with love in Italy by Alfa Ceramiche, a company specialized in the production ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-Century Functional Tesla Phone 1971
Located in Praha, CZ
For sale is a mid-century phone, original vintage condition, elegant black glossy design, great addition to your collection
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
Midcentury Typewriter / Zeta, 1950s.
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia
Made of metal, steel, plastic
The packaging of the machine has surface defects that are associated with the age of use,cannot be locked,there is no key.
Re-...
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Steel
Mid Century Murano Glass Fish Aquarium Sculpture
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Italian hand blown solid glass aquarium with fish and sea life inclused into a clear blue curved wave shape sculpture. Murano, Italy
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Floating Pennies in Lucite Cube Paperweight in the Style of William Rolfe
Located in San Diego, CA
Floating pennies in lucite cube paperweight in the style of William Rolfe, circa 1980s. The pice is in very good vintage condition and measures 2.5"W...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
$180 Sale Price
20% Off
Restored Typewriter/ Daro Erika, Model 32, Germany, 1965
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
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Murano Opalescent Blue Green Italian Art Glass Horse Pony Paperweight Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Cute vintage Murano hand blown opalescent green, blue with controlled bubbles Italian art glass horse head paperweight / sculpture. Documented to the F...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass, Glass
$335 Sale Price
33% Off
Rare Gucci Solid Sterling Silver Lion's Paw Letter Opener
By Gucci
Located in Bath, GB
I have only ever had one other of these and it was silver over bronze; I was amazed to find this heavy solid silver example fully marked "925" on the underside and signed by the famo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Pan-Am DC3 Wooden Airplane Desk Model, Midcentury
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco / midcentury large DC3 desk aviation model.
Pan-Am wooden airplane model.
It was in an office of the company in South America.
Very good restored conditions. Slight age wear.
History
Pan American Airways began the first transatlantic passenger service on this day in 1939. Pan American World Airways, as it was to be known, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal United States international air carrier from the late 1920s until its collapse on December 4, 1991. Founded in 1927 as a scheduled air mail and passenger service operating between Key West, Florida, and Havana, Cuba, the airline became a major company credited with many innovations that shaped the international airline industry, including the widespread use of jet aircraft, jumbo jets, and computerized reservation systems.
The history of Pan American Airways is inextricably linked to the expansive vision and singular effort of one man – Juan Trippe. An avid flying enthusiast and pilot, Trippe, only 28 years old when he founded the airline, lined up wealthy investors and powerful government officials from his personal acquaintances in the high-society of the 1920s. However, Pan Am’s first flight was an inauspicious start to its epic saga.
In 1927, facing a Post Office deadline for the commencement of mail carriage, Pan Am had no working equipment for its sole airmail contract between Key West and Havana. Fortunately for Pan Am, a pilot with his Fairchild seaplane arrived at Key West and was willing to carry the mail to Cuba for the start up operation. It is fitting that Pan Am’s first flight would be over water, since the airline would Pioneer overseas routes throughout its history.
Pan Am’s fortunes took a turn for the better in the fall of 1927. Through the heavy lobbying efforts of Juan Trippe, Pan Am was selected by the United States government to be its “chosen instrument” for overseas operations. Pan Am would enjoy a near monopoly on international routes. Added to Pan Am’s Cuba route were lines serving Mexico, Central America, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico. Most of these destinations were port cities, which could be reached only by landing on water. Therefore Pan Am made good use of its “flying boats,” the Sikorsky S-38 and S-40. Flights were eventually expanded to serve much of South America as well.
EnlargePan Am’s fleet of Clippers allowed the airline to conquer the Pacific in the mid-1930s. The flying boats would later be put to military use in WWII.
Just a few years later, Pan Am launched its effort to cross the world’s largest oceans. Survey flights across the Pacific were conducted with the Sikorsky S-42 in 1935, but passenger service required bigger and better aircraft. Accompanied by much fanfare, the Martin M-130 was introduced in 1936, followed by the Boeing 314...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
1960's Italian Brass Shopping Bag Set Magazine and Letter Holders
By Gio Ponti
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare set of brass shopping bags from Italy, circa 1960.
Both are stamped "made in Italy" on bottom.
Fabulous as decoration together or use separate as magazine/letter bin.
Both ha...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Copper
Vintage Beautiful Glass Paperweight Made Around 1960
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Beautiful Glass Paperweight Made Around 1960
Additional information:
Dimensions: 6 W x 6 D x 5 H cm
Period of Time: 1960
Condition: Good
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Chrome Bull and Pen Holder Statue Decorative Desk Accessory, Italy 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 20th century Bull statue on a marble base with a pen holder. Desktop accessory, made of metal, chrome and marble. Nice addition to your wri...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Metal, Chrome
$336 Sale Price
20% Off
Beautiful Fish Reef and Octopus Murano Italian Art Glass Aquarium Paperweight
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown aquarium Italian art glass paper weight. Showing a octopus holding a reef with fish aquarium. Colors are a different shades of blue, white, black and clea...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
1970s Black Desk Tray Tiered Office Letter File
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Midcentury Black Tiered Letter Desk Tray Office File
Wood with faux leather
Scuffs present around edges.
No label.
15 D x 9.88 w x 7 H
Preowned original vintage condition. See...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Faux Leather, Wood
Original 'Benbecula' Letter Opener by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano. Italy, 1960s
Located in Malmö, SE
Original 'Benbecula' Letter Opener in Stainless Steel. Designed by Enzo Mari in 1961. Produced by Danese Milano in the 1960s.
Great condition, only a few light scratches.
Stamped wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Barovier Toso Murano Yellow Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Love Birds Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright yellow, controlled bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass love birds sculpture. Documented to the Barovier e Toso Company. The two canar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Leaf
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian mid-century modern brown wooden brass plastic television by Vega, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern brown wooden white plastic television by Vega, 1950s
Rectangular wooden television. The screen has rounded corners and a cream colored plastic frame, under...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Brass
Daum France Pate de Verre Cactus Flower Paperweight or Decorative Sculpture
By Daum
Located in Atlanta, GA
This delicate pate de verre frosted crystal flower paperweight or decorative sculpture is by Daum, France, and was hand-made in the 1970s. The sculpture features a lovely cactus flow...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener, Austria 2022.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
$659 / item
Ericofon Midcentury Plastic Cobra Telephone, L.M Ericsson, Sweden 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare in red
- marked
- very good original condition
- space age style
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Giorgio Soave Paper weight for Olivetti, Italy 1970s
By Olivetti
Located in Milan, IT
Giorgio Soave Paper weight for Olivetti, Italy 1970s
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Murano Smoky Photo Frame by Barovier e Toso - 4 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage picture frame with hand blown clear and smoky Murano "Torciglione" glass border / Designed by Barovier e Toso circa 1960's / Original mark on frame / Made in Italy
Measures:...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
$1,400 Sale Price / item
30% Off
Large Vintage Clothespin – Decorative Object & Paperweight – Circa 1970
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A striking and rare design piece from the 1970s, this oversized clothespin reimagines an everyday object as a sculptural and functional form. Made of deep black plexiglass (also know...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Carl Aubock Mid-Century Horn Desk Pen & Pencil Holder Cup, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative handmade desk pen and pencil cup holder from the 1950s. Designed and manufactured by Werkstätte Carl Aubock, workshop in Vienna / Austri...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Horn
Murano Fratelli Toso and Barbini Murrine Flowers Italian Art Glass Paperweights
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced per item (3 different designs available).
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Italian art glass paperweights. They are documented to Fratelli Toso company and one to designer...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine
Solid Red Marble Apple Paperweight with Brass Stem
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid red marble with brass accent stem apple paperweight or sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3" x 3.75"H. #3539
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage Hand Crafted Onyx Cylindric Decorative Vase, Italy 1970's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Tall hand-crafted cylindric decorative vase in Onyx.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
Vintage Set Green Bakelite Handles Germany, 1960s
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Set of 4 Bakelite Handles Germany, 1960s
We have been able to purchase a large batch of bakelite handles.
These bakelite handles were once made in East Germany.
Just for t...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
$43 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Vintage Mid Century Modern Rotating Cube Cork and Chrome Desk Organizer
Located in Amityville, NY
Vintage mid century modern cube shaped desk organizer or desk accessory in cork and chrome. Has two compartments; one seemingly for pens and pencils, the other for a small notepad. H...
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
$89 Sale Price
31% Off
Danish Mid-Century Modern Beni Mobler Denmark Teak Waste Basket or Trash Can
Located in St. Louis, MO
Danish modern teak bent plywood waste basket or trash can with and what looks like Rosewood interior designed Jan Nielsen for Beni Mobler Denmark. In very ...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Teak
Oxblood Red Fan by Siemens-Schuckert Model W 250 T, Germany, 1950s
By Siemens
Located in Cork, IE
Based on the design of their 1920s "MET2" and a post-war re-make from their 1930's "C210t", Siemens-Schuckert produced this model "W250T" in Germany between 1949 and 1955.
Showcasing their aviation heritage - Siemens-Schuckert also produced aircraft during World War 1, such as the "Riesenflugzeug" (giant plane or R-plane) - this desk fan became THE GERMAN FAN...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Daum France Crystal Elephant Paperweight or Decorative Sculpture
By Daum
Located in Atlanta, GA
Daum, France, created this adorable crystal elephant figurine paperweight or ornamental sculpture by hand in the late 1960s. The sculpture features a lovely sitting elephant with dim...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Mid-Century Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Millefiori Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Mid-Century Modernist hand-blown Murano glass paperweight, crafted in Italy circa 1960, exemplifies the exceptional artistry for which Murano glassmakers are renowned....
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Mid century modern Murano Glass Paperweight, 1960s
Located in Palermo, PA
This beautiful Murano glass paperweight features a beutiful design with air bubbles suspended within the glass. The bottom is made of deep blue glass, where the bubbles are carefully...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Squared Lucite and Chrome Pocket Emptier in Dior Style, France 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning midcentury Lucite and chrome squared valet tray or ashtray. This wonderful item was produced in France in the style of Christian Dior in 1970.
The pocket emptier is lovely because of the beautiful straight lines and the chromed metal central part, making it look like a cube of ice with a floating rounded chromed plate in the middle.
A wonderful example of design from the 1970s, both for the fusion of materials and colours. The chromed plate can be moved, changing the shape of the item.
A gorgeous item that will enhance a midcentury-style living room, studio or entrance hall.
Christian Dior was founded in 1946 by designer Christian Dior. It currently designs and retails leather goods, fashion accessories, footwear, jewelry, timepieces, fragrance, makeup, and skincare products, while also maintaining its tradition as a creator of haute-couture under the Christian Dior Couture division. The Christian Dior label remains largely for women's offerings, although the company also operates the Dior Homme division for men and the baby Dior...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
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
1950's Triumph Brand Gabriele Model Portable Typewriter
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1950. We offer this toatlly NEW Triumph Brand Gabriele Model Portable Typewriter. This item is timeless and in perfect condition. It includes its user manual and an original cl...
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Modernist Solid Oak Pencil / Pen Holder, USA, 1970's
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Modernist Solid Oak Pencil / Pen Holder, USA, 1970's.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Oak
$200 Sale Price
20% Off
Brassed WWII Era Mortar Shell Paperweights or Bookends Midcentury
By U.S. Army
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We have taken these hollowed out WWll mortar shells and brassed them to produce these very cool desk accessories.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Iron
Vincenzo Nason Murano Art Glass Green Blue Bird Paperweight Figurine
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Murano glass bird sculpture by Vincenzo Nason, Italy, 1970s.
Green, blue and clear glass with beautiful hues when light go...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Blue Octopus Swimming Fish Italian Art Glass Aquarium Block Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Italian art glass double fish and octopus aquarium block sculpture. Created in the manner of the Cenedese and A.Ve.M...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$680 Sale Price
20% Off
1970s Stunning Pair of Big Italian Marble Dices, Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s. Stunning pair of big Italian dices in white marble, in very good conditions. Made in Italy.
Dimension:
2,75 x 2,75 x 2,75 inches
7 cm x 7 cm x 7 cm H.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Midcentury Modernist Architectural Letter Tray Tiered Walnut Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Stunning midcentury modernist tiered letter file tray
walnut wood and aluminum
In the style of Florence Knoll
6.13 h x 10 w x 15
Great preowned vintage condition. Wood recently oile...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Carl Aubock Sculpture "Man With Stick" 4060
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Sculpture "Man With Stick" 4060. This beautifully crafted sculpture first conceived in the 1950's by Carl Aubock is a wonderful examp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
$600 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Desk Accessories, Letter Holder by Jacques Adnet and Letter Tray Paper Holder
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Handsome saddle leather letter holder by Jacques Adnet. Signature contrast stitching. Great patina to leather. Excellent vintage condition. Paris...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
$431 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Brutalist Acid Etched Brass Containers by Gallinaro, Italy, 1960s
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of Brutalist Acid Etched Brass Containers by Gallinaro,
Italy, 1960s
The second container measures 9.5 x 13.5 cm
Used as Desk Pen Holders.
Signed Gallinaro
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Italian Typewriter by Marcello Nizzoli for Olivetti, 1950s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Lettera 22 portable typewriter, of enameled metal and plastic, designed by Marcello Nizzoli and produced by the progressive manufacturer Olivetti in Italy, circa 1954. Nizzoli (1887-...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Ocean Green Murano Glass Angel Fish By Archimede Seguso, Italy 1970's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superbly crafted hand blown angel fish by Archimede Seguso, Murano, Italy
Circa 1970's
Signed with original label on base
Height 4 inch, Width 2.25 inch, Depth 5.5inch
In very good...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Small Sculpture of Fluid Man Representing Phallus
Located in Milano, IT
Small sculpture in chromed metal representing the fluid man, designed in the 50s.
In jargon it is called "sexual fluidity": that is the tendency of people under 25 to choose a partner of their own or of the other sex, without limits and without taboos. The pleasure and experimentation together, following the circumstances, availability and predilection of the moment.
The vintage metal sculpture...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
$863 Sale Price
20% Off
Carl Auböck #5039 'Jingle Bell' Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck #5039 'Jingle Bell' Paperweight.
Originally designed by Carl Auböck III in the early 1960s, this handmade piece was inspired by charming sl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
$577 / item
Vintage Solid Brass Ram Figure
Located in Charleston, SC
A handsome plump and squatting solid brass ram figure. Great for display and as a paperweight.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Silver Plate Bambi Roe Deer Fawn Letter Opener Vintage, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian letter opener. Nice addition to your desktop or just for your collection of Austrian midcentury items. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Murano Seguso Orange White Gold Italian Art Glass Bird with Flower Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown orange, white and gold flecks Italian art glass bird with flower sculpture / paperweight. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso. The piece has a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Leaf
Vintage French Ceramic Vase by Raymonde Leduc 'circa 1970s', Small
Located in London, GB
Vintage ceramic vase (or pencil holder if you prefer) by Raymonde Leduc (circa 1970s). Sandstone coloured small vessel with plant motifs inlaid on all four sides. In good overall con...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
$274 Sale Price
20% Off
Robert Indiana Style Love Paperweight or Small Sculpture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A paperweight in polished metal after Robert Indiana. Likely purchased at MoMA. This piece would add great modernist character to any desk or office environment.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
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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