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 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
Large Saint Louis Art Glass Millefiori Paperweight
By Saint Louis
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning paperweight dating back to the late 19th Century with roses and flowers that will spark your imagination every time you put your eyes on it.
This art piece has faceted e...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Murano glass paperweight hand blown with white and red scrambled canes within the glass, made in Italy, circa 1960s
Measures: Diameter 3 inches, height 2.75 inches
1 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Vintage Fan, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vintage fan.
Manufactured Spain, circa 1940.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
The mechanic...
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Vintage onyx cardholder desk accessory, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage onyx card holder, 1960s. Most likely from Italy, Mexico, or Pakistan. Tones of pistachio, rust, and toffee. Pick up in central west Los Angeles or we ship worldwide.
4” W ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
Nostalgic 1960's Italian Ceramic Tiger Cub, Adorable Retro
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Undeniably appealing, Italian retro ceramic tiger cub from the 1960's
Hand painted and glazed, vibrant and striking
Circa 1960's
Signed Italy
Height 10 inch, Width 8 inch, Depth 6 in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage 1965 Consul 232 Portable Typewriter in two-tone slate/sky grey in Case
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 1965 Consul 232 Portable Typewriter in two-tone slate/sky grey in Case. Circa 1960s. Measurements: 4" H x 14.5" W x 14.5" D.
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Brass & Copper Egyptian Revival Pyramid Sculptural Paperweight, 1960's
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Brass & Copper Egyptian Revival Pyramid Sculptural Paperweight, 1960's.
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Copper
Italian Murano Rainbow Bubble Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oval shaped, artisan-made, hand-blown, Italian Murano art glass paperweight features a bed of colorful teal, blue, yellow, and red with clear bubbles rising resembling hot air balloo...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Table fan ATAS, 220V - 1940s
Located in Praha, CZ
Fully functional. 220V, European plug. New power cable.
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron
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
Murano Yellow Blue Stripes Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Fish Aquarium Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown blue, yellow and gold flecks Italian art glass fish aquarium sculpture block. Created in the manner of the Cenedese and A.Ve.M. companies. The fis...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Leaf
Sweet Little Dog Italian Hand Painted Ceramic Money Box c1960s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Adorable hand painted ceramic Italian money box from the 1960's
A joyful palette of colours brings this piece to life
Circa 1960's
Signed M33 Italy ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Tomado Holland Mid-Century-Modern Metal Desk Office Paper Waste Basket
By Tomado
Located in Atlanta, GA
A functional 1960s Mid-Century-Modern desk accessory, office waste-basket designed by Tomado, Holland. The oval shape boasts a light gray metal structure with a typical polychrome mo...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Bvlgari / Bulgari Sterling Silver Letter Opener
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari / Bulgari sterling silver letter opener with heavy gage silver. This high-quality decorative piece measures 7 1/2'' in length by 1'' in width, marked "Bvlgari", is sure to be...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
"Bulletin Cube" MCM Cork & Chrome Desk Organizer / Pencil Holder by Park Sherman
By Park Sherman
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice "Bulletin Cube" MCM cork and chrome rotating desk organizer / pencil holder by Park Sherman, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 4.5"W x 4.5"D x...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
1970's Antonio Da Ros 'Attr.' for Cenedese Clear Murano Bubble Glass Paperweight
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Rare, Mid-Century Modern vintage signed cone shaped paperweight with singular trapped air bubble inclusion within the clear glass. The design of this conical shaped desk paperweight ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Seguso Murano Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Standing Duck Bird Figurine
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown green and gold flecks Italian art glass duck bird figurine / sculpture. Attributed to Archimede Seguso / Seguso Vetri D’ Arte. The bird is made wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Olivetti Synthesis 'Synthesis 45' Complete set plus clamp desk organizer
Located in Milano, IT
Olivetti ‘Synthesis 45' complete set with rare clamp desk organizer, designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti italy in 1972.
This versatile set offers the option of combining the pieces or using them separately as per your preference. These vintage pieces are in excellent condition, bearing the stamp of the maker, signifying their authenticity.
For more insights into the iconic 'Synthesis 45' series by Sottsass for Olivetti, you can refer to the book "Sottsass Olivetti Synthesis...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Petite Millefiori Flowers Murano Italian Art Glass Paperweight 1960s
By Murano 5
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass paper weight. Showing some flowers. Colors are a blue, white, green and clear. A beautiful nice addition to your desktop or as a decorat...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Clear Hand Blown Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand-blown, clear, oblong, art glass paperweight features a clear hand-blown center ring with several controlled bubbles atop and below with the faintest hints of orange dash around ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
2 penguin sculptures, 1950
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that reads 'View All ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Ransomers Patent De La Rue 02 Antique Traveling Inkwell
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful antique traveling inkwell, made of wood and steel. Great condition.
By De La Rue.
Category
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian hand blown Murano glass paperweight exhibiting an aquatic scene with a fish and sea grass / Made in Italy, circa 1960s
Measures: diameter 3 inches / height 3 inches
1...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Traveling Inkwell Milk Churn Shape
Located in Vienna, AT
This figural traveling inkwell was made during the very early 1900s. It is made to look like a milk churn. We believe it is made of nickel plated brass; some of the plating has worn ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Original Victorian Door Knob Cast Pewter Paperweight, Glasgow School of Art
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Original Glasgow School of Art, artist's proof of a pewter casting of a Victorian door knob
The mold for this one-off casting was created using a V...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Scottish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
Abstract, Organic Gabriel Fourmaintraux Hand Painted Ceramic Vide Poche c1950's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Organic in form, abstract ceramic vide poche by Gabriel Fourmaintraux, France
Strong pallet of red, yellow and orange enamels contrast wonderfully with the exterior matt black glaze
...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
1980s Op-Art Multi Colored Lucite Sculpture of a Circle, Triange & Rectangle
Located in St. Louis, MO
In the style of Vasa Mihich or Shlomi Haziza, 1980s sculpture colored beveled shapes made of acrylic or lucite with pink circle, yellow triangle, teal rectangle on a purple base. Thi...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Tall Art Glass Blue Swirl Jellyfish Paperweight
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Artisan-made, hand-blown, art glass paperweight by Rochester Folk Art Guild features a graceful, cobalt blue form resembling a jellyfish or a flower encased in a clear glass tall obl...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
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
DeSimone Hand Painted 'Sunny Sunflower' Italian Small Ceramic Dish 1960's
By DeSimone
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
DeSimone of Italy, 'Sunny Sunflower' is typical of DeSimone's colourful and playful art.
Hand painted yellow sunflower motif to centre with a bright blue rim
This small bowl is weig...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Scholar's Instrument Set, English, Nickel Steel, Draughtsman's Tool Case
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage scholar's instrument set. An English, nickel steel draughtsman's tool case, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950.
Unmarked tools, but of fine industrial quality as expected
Displays a desirable aged patina throughout
Presented in a patinated reddish brown case, some wear commensurate with age
Interior dressed in bright cobalt blue, with silk cotton and velvet respectively
Comprehensive scholarly set of tools and accessories, comprising 9 pieces in total
Pair of compass...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Nickel
Vintage Blown Controlled Bubbles Murano Art Glass Transparent Paperweight, Italy
By Murano 5
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Vintage blown controlled bubbles Murano Art Glass Transparent Paperweight made in Italy.
Great for a Desk as Paperweight, Sculpture or Office Accessory.
Collecto...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Italian Crystal Paperweight Ferrari Car 1970s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Crystal Paperweight Ferrari Car 1970s
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian Murano glass paperweight hand blown with multicolored flowers and leaves, made in Italy, circa 1960s
Measures: Diameter 3.5 inches, height 2.5 inches
1 in stock in Lo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Murano Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian clear and red Murano glass paperweight with gold fleck infused, made in Italy, circa 1960s
Measures: Diameter 4 inches, height 4 inches
1 in stock in Los Angeles
Orde...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Distinctive Gabriel Fourmaintraux Hand Painted Ceramic Vide Poche - Circa 1950's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superb petit ceramic vide poche by Gabriel Fourmaintraux
Intense black glaze, hand decorated with distinctive red, yellow and green enamel motifs
Circa 1950
Height 1.5 inch, Width ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
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
Rare Foitzik Trier Unca 120 Roll Film Bellow Camera Made in Germany 1952
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Rare Foitzik Trier Unca 120 Roll Film Bellow Camera Made in Germany 1952
Model Unca (6x6)
The Foitzik-Kamerawerke were founded in 1945 in Lübeck, northern Germany, by machine cons...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
leather and brass desk pad attributed to Jacques Adnet circa 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
leather and brass desk pad attributed to Jacques Adnet circa 1950
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Wonderful Piece Of Italian Kitsch, Ceramic Sports Car And Driver c1960s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Italian ceramic car and driver from the 1960's, a fun piece of Italian kitsch
Rossa pink lustre glaze - beautifully respected
Circa 1960's
Signed Italy
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Walnut Business Card Holder, 1960s
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Walnut Business Card Holder, 1960s.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Understated Jean Gerbino, Vallauris, France, Ceramic Pale Blue Mosaic Lidded Pot
By Jean Gerbino
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Quietly understated elegant Jean Gerbino for Vallauris, France, ceramic glazed pale blue mosaic lidded pot
Classic form and function with signature mosaic from Gerbino
Circa 1960's
S...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
MOMA Robert P. Gottlieb Mid-Century Modern Designed Lucite Tape Dispenser 63'-73
By Robert P. Gottlieb, Two's Company
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage Robert P. Gottlieb Lucite / Steel Tape Dispenser in production from 1963-73. Two's Company, Mount Vernon, NY.. In the permanent Collection of MOMA New York. In fine working c...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Cork & Leather Waster Paper Bin, Comptoir General des Gommes, France, 1950
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Comptoir General de Gommes Cork & Leather Waste Paper Bin
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Cork
Vintage Set RED Bakelite Handles, 1960 East Germany
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Vintage Set of 4 Bakelite Handles Germany, 1960
We have been able to purchase a large batch of bakelite handles.
These bakelite handles were once made in East Germany.
Just for th...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
Entertaining Masked Ninja Angel Fish, Vintage Hand Blown Murano Fun 1970s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Hilarious pair of Murano Angel fish with a whiff of Ninja about them
Crafted in hand blown glass from Murano, Italy
Circa 1970's
Height 8.5 inch, Wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Lot of 5 Lighters, Rare 1950s Dunhill Aquarium Half Giant Lighters
By Dunhill
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Lot of 5 Rare 1950s Half-Giant Dunhill Aquarium table lighters (made in England)
Each of these lighters are very rare and unique as they were hand ca...
Category
1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome, Silver Plate
Darling, Multicoloured Hand Blown Glass Duckling Figure Archimede Seguso, Murano
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Absolutely darling little Archimede Seguso duckling figurine
Delightful hand blown glass artistry from Seguso
Circa 1980's
Signed Archimede Seguso, Murano to base, with original lab...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Glass Paperweight by Goran Warff for Kosta Boda, Rare Find - FREE SHIPPING
Located in Bochum, NRW
Beautiful and heavy paperweight designed by Goran Warff and made by KostaBoda in the 1960s.
Hand made of glass, this paperweight is sophisticate, featuring green and blue waves of gl...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Fontana Arte Mid-Century Modern 1950s Glass Pen Holder Stand & Ashtray Desk Set
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte (attributed) Midcentury Modern desk set featuring a pen holder or stand with a tray and an ashtray. Made in Ita...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Chambered Nautilus Shell Art Glass Paperweight
By Murano 5
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Chambered Nautilus Shell Art Glass Paperweight.
Murano style art glass in brown and transparent with gold murine.
Wrythen glass is created by twisting external parallel groove or r...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
1990s Gorgeous Swatch Twin Phone "Deluxe" With The Original Box. Memphis Style
Located in Milano, IT
1990s Gorgeous Swatch twin phone "Deluxe" in excellent condition with the original box. It works perfectly. Memphis style. It was an icon for its ama...
Category
1990s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Max Ingrand mod. 2291 paperweight for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
Located in Milan, IT
Max Ingrand model 2291 paperweight for Fontana Arte, Italy 1960s
Signed with the incised F X
Reference: Quaderni Fontana Arte 6
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cut Glass
Alfred Dunhill 1950 West Germany Desk Petrol Mechanical Lighter 12 Inches Ruler
Located in Miami, FL
Twelve Inches ruler desk lighter designed by Dunhill.
Very unusual and stunning desk petrol lighter, designed by Dunhill back in the 1950. This mechanical lighter has been crafted in West Germany in the shape of a 12 inches ruler, made up in steel with high polished chrome plating.
Weight: 262.6 Grams, (168.34 Dwt).
Measurements: 327 mm by 39 mm (12.88 x 1.54 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed, "Dunhill MADE IN WEST GERMANY".
Alfred Dunhill inherited his father’s London saddlery in 1893. Following the increase in motor car ownership, Alfred developed the business to include motoring accessories, which he called ‘Dunhill’s Motorities’. This included goggles, timepieces, picnic sets, and leather coats, and it wasn’t long before the brand became associated with men’s general motoring attire. They opened two shops in Mayfair and had a catalogue of over 1300 items. Between the 1904 and 1905, Dunhill introduced their ‘Windshield Pipe’, to help drivers combat the effect of wind and travel on their ability to smoke. This marked both the end of the ‘motorities’ focus and their entry into the world of smoking ephemera, and they shortly opened their first tobacconist in 1907 on Duke Street. The proximity to several esteemed Private Members Clubs around the Mayfair, St James’ area ensured that the venture was a success. (From Nicholas Wells With Thanks).
Literature: Blei-Bottoni Ref-630 (6 Inches) Pp-318 Illustrated.
Note: This version was retailed for 20.00 usd, back in the 1950s. It is noted by Blei-Bottoni as hard to find.
Collateral: It is accompanied by the designer's presentation green pouch...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Mid-century Phone Tesla, 1980's.
By Tesla
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia
Made of Plastic
With Aged Patina
Cleaned
Fully Functional
Good Vintage Condition
Category
1980s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Carlo Scarpa Mezza Filigrana Vanity Mirror for Venini, circa 1935
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Englewood, NJ
A fine Italian Mid Century Modern glass "Mezza Filigrana" vanity mirror designed by, Carlo Scarpa for Venini. The mirror frame is internally decorated with pink lattice decoration an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Florence Knoll Molded Plywood Architectural Letter Tray, 1960s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Florence Knoll molded plywood architectural letter tray, 1960s. This piece retains its original label to the bottom letter tray.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
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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