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Modern Desk Accessories

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Color:  Blue
In Stock in Los Angeles, Light Blue Rabbit Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rabbit mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles Power bank. You can carry Rabbit MINI in your bag as an external battery for your smartphone or any other device. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Modern Black Silver Gold or Copper Metal Rabbit Accent Chair
Located in Origgio (VA), IT
"Mr Holder was a shark who loved swimming but could not do it. He was mocked by all the other sharks who called him a 'boring little girl'. Poor thing! Then two famous designers with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Danese Milano Lampedusa Blue Pencil Holder in Melamine by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Blue Lampedusa is a re-edition of the famous melamine desktop pencil holder that has become one of the classics of 20th Century design and can be found in numerous museum collections...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Kartell U Shine Vase in Blue by Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Lucite Abstract Geometric Table Top Sculpture / Paperweight, 1980's
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Lucite abstract Geometric table top sculpture / Paperweight, 1980's.
Category

20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Nº 5 Contemporary Glazed Ceramic Napoleon Blue Showtime Vase by Jaime Hyon Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Showtime Vases are just as current as when we launched them over 10 years ago. They are little decorative sculptures that fully reproduce Hayon’s universe. Made of two glazed ce...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

In Stock in Los Angeles, Light Blue Mexico Skull Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Mexico skull mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles "Mr Holder was a shark who loved swimming but could not do it. He was mocked by all the other sharks who call...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Blue Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. Our Se...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Malachite Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and substantial green Malachite decorative or jewelry box, circa late-20th century. This green Malachite box is hexagonal in shape with a white onyx marble star with gold gilt metal detail on top lid. Piece is hand-crafted. Box makes a great decorative or storage jewelry box to hold small items or jewelry such as necklaces (as demonstrated holding), rings, earring, cufflinks, etc., on a vanity, nightstand, dresser, desk, credenza, walk-in-closet, etc. Dimensions: 3.38" Depth x 4" Width. Purple box shown also available, search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314228491742 Green malachite box with cameo, search ref. #: LU1314228492012 Small gold and malachite turtle...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite, Onyx

Contemporary Set of Two Handmade Aquamarine Crystal Photo Frames by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of picture frames by Ghirò Studio. Set of two photo frames, one horizontal and one vertical, of excellent workmanship and artistic quality. The rounded edges give har...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

White Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. Our Se...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

White and Clear Marbled Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. Our Semi Sphere is a very cool and f...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Set of Three Lucite Pyramid Sculptures Orange, Purple, Sapphire Blue 1990's
Located in North Miami, FL
This collection of lucite jewel toned sculptures in orange, red, sapphire blue and purple are two pyramids and one abstract form. They glisten with gorgeous colors and make a great s...
Category

1990s American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Kartell I Shine in Blue by Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

In Stock in Los Angeles, Blue Spire Candle 1001 Lights Unbreakable Spirit Scent
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Blue spire candle 1001 lights. Unbreakable spirit scent In stock in Los Angeles Home candle with tower design, translucent porcelain container and lid in blue and gold luster. It...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Italian Photo Frame in Blue Plexiglass, Sharing Blue
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Sharing blue is a square Italian pop design picture frame in blue plexiglass of Art with Heart collection of photo frames by Laura G ,Italy. It is r...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plexiglass

Knotted Double Leather Tray Set Large André Fu Living Accessories Modern New
Located in CENTRAL, HK
Knotted double leather serving tray set. Hand stitched calf leather. Also, available in a smaller size tray set of two, size 36.2 x 24.7 x 5.8 H cm. Larger quantities available u...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Contemporary 'Papillon' Artistic Crystal Bowl Aquamarine by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Innovative design, fine craftsmanship and a strong artistic sense make this creation not only a bowl but a real artistic sculpture. The natural col...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Contemporary Handmade Aquamarine Crystal Horizontal Photo Frame by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of picture frames by Ghirò Studio. Picture frame of excellent workmanship and artistic quality. The rounded edges give harmony and elegance. The high transparency ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Contemporary Handmade Aquamarine Vertical Crystal Picture Frame by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of picture frames by Ghirò Studio. Vertical picture frame of excellent workmanship and artistic quality. The rounded edges give harmony and elegance. The high tran...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Contemporary 'Gocce' Set of Three Sculptures Aquamarine Crystal by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Each crystal is exclusive and unique as it has been entirely hand-worked from a block of crystal. This makes it impossible to create two perfectly identical ones. Three natural blocks of crystal was used to make this set of decorative objects . The crystal have been processed by hand until they obtain a perfectly smooth and luminous surface. The color of the crystal is aquamarine with high transparency. They present a modern furnishing...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Contemporary 'Cactus with Flower' Handmade Crystal Sculpture by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of handmade sculpture by Ghirò Studio. 'Cactus with flower' sculpture was made by hand working the crystal with extreme care and attention. Each sculpture is unique...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Contemporary 'Dumbbell' Aquamarine Crystal Handmade in Italy by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of decorative objects by Ghiro Studio (Milan, Italy). Each ‘Dumbbell’ sculpture is a unique piece. It is handmade with the utmost care and attention to detail. It...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

“Revolve” No.S5 (made to order) – Contemporary 21st-Century Sculpture
Located in Holte, DK
“Revolve” – No. S5. This is made in a limited edition of only 5 pieces + 1 AP. The five sculptures are made in five different colors, making them ...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Cast Stone

Contemporary Hand-engraved Aquamarine Sculpture by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
The "Cactus" Sculpture is not only an elegant and modern piece of furniture but it is also a unique and unrepeatable sculpture. This incredible object has been worked and sculpted...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Contemporary Artistic Bowl Hand Crafted Aquamarine Crystal by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
This object is a handmade artistic sculpture that can be used as a bowl, as a desk accessory, as a jewel case or simply as it is to furnish any env...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Sonic Bookends - Handmade Contemporary Glass Bookends - Customizable
Located in New York, NY
The Sonic Bookends design was created with the intent of recreating the image of audio waves emerging from the books they are charged with keeping upright, as though to amplify the w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Contemporary Large Blue Happy Susto Ceramic Flower Vase by Jaime Hayon, Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
Glazed ceramic in white or blue with decorations in white or blue. One side with decoration, the other side without. A ceramic collection which carries Jaime Hayon’s unmistakable ch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Three Unique Pieces Hand Painted Sicilian Terracotta Decorative Spheres
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Three spheres made in Sicily, in the small town of Caltagirone, world famous for handcrafted ceramics. They are especially made for our store and are unique pieces. Measures: Diamete...
Category

2010s Sicilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Terracotta

Small Blue Happy Susto Ceramic Flower Vase by Jaime Hayon, Contemporary Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Glazed ceramic in white or blue with decorations in white or blue. One side with decoration, the other side without. A ceramic collection which carries Jaime Hayon’s unmistakable ch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Modern desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique 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, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Ghidini 1961, Danese Milano, Enzo Mari, and AIREDELSUR. 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 $15 and tops out at $57,800 while the average work can sell for $499.

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