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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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.
Style: Modern
Color: Brown
Italian Photo Frame Handmade Wood, Double Heart
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Double Heart is a unique arge Italian hand crafted wood double photo frame by sculptor Massimo Pasini.
Wood is a very warm material and it is very m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Agresti Il Bauletto Jewelry Box in Briar and Mahogany
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry box in briar and mahogany, matte finish, ultra suede lining. 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With removable tray and necklace bar.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Suede, Mahogany
"Simone" Leather Desk Blotter Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Simone" is a leather desk blotter, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned.
Co...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Contemporary Red Burgundy Pink Glazed Ceramic Explorer Vase No.3 by Jaime Hayon
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
The shapely forms of the pieces in the Explorer Collection, have been condensed into these vases. They are objects that are part of my cosmos, taken from my drawings. The materialisa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Contemporary Handmade Brass Bookend "Hippos" in Ancient Greek Forms by Anaktae
By ANAKTAE
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted bookend, model "Hippos" in oxidized brass.
This bookend is part of the "Althaea Series", a collection of four bookends in brass Inspired by ancient Greek symbols...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
"Antonio" Leather Pencil Holder Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Antonio" is a leather pencil holder, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera, and is part of Foglia Couture collection. G...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
"Italo" Leather In and Out Tray Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Italo" is a leather out tray and paper holder, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be cho...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Abstract Ceramic Sculpture of Head, Mounted on Base
Located in New York, NY
A sculpture of an abstracted head in ceramic, mounted on a black acrylic base, by an unknown artist. The human head and features have been intentionally warped into an organic stone ...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Acrylic, Ceramic
Set coordinato LENTE DI INGRANDIMENTO E TAGLIACARTE - Collezione esclusiva
By Nino Basso
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Elegante e funzionale set coordinato con lente di ingrandimento e tagliacarte della nostra collezione esclusiva ESSENZE.
Realizzato con maestria artigianale, questo set di accesso...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
TRONADOR Rectangular Brown Onyx Stone Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Onyx
LIA 6" Square Handcrafted Brass and Steel Valet Bowl Tray by Soraya Osorio
Located in Vero Beach, FL
LIA 6" Square handcrafted valet tray bowl is versatile as a decorative object or in an entry way to place your daily belongings.
A contrast in metals, hand-hammered 4 1/2" inner rou...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Steel, Brass
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Briar with Leather Detail by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Elm briar and striped mahogany for your collectable watches. Leather handles. Briar box for nine watches.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Wood
"Lorenzo" Riveted Leather Pencil Holder by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Lorenzo" is a riveted leather pencil holder, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Antique Brass Plated Desk, Pols Potten Studio
By Pols Potten
Located in Geneve, CH
Antique brass plated desk, Pols Potten Studio.
Dimensions: W 120.5 x D 51 x H 75.5 cm.
Materials: Black powder coated iron frame, aluminium, anti...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum, Brass, Iron
Furniture Handle Hammered Brass Bronze Cabinet Hardware Drawer Pulls
Located in Warsaw, PL
Handcrafted hardware by RUDA Studio is aimed to embody a touch of natural phenomena. The hammered brass handle reminds of honeycombs or drops of water frozen in the metal. This aesth...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Brass Gazelle Antelope Sculpture Decorative Object, Tall
Located in New York, NY
A brass animal Gazelle antelope bust sculpture decorative object with tall antlers, circa late-20th century, 1970s.
Dimensions: 21.5" Height.
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Ben Seibel for Jenfred-Ware Bookends in Copper Finish
By Ben Seibel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great modern design in this pair of bookends by the well known Modern designer Ben Seibel.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Tech Tray - Office tray - Carrara Marble + Walnut
Located in Monte-Serzedo, 13
Tech tray It's not just one more office accessory.
It's THE multifunctional and stanning tray where you can put your phone, tablet, pens, clips...
...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble
Mondi Paralleli
By Gumdesign
Located in Viareggio, IT
Una collezione di taglieri in marmo siciliano e rovere naturale ottenuti con lavorazioni artigianali esprimono storie parallele, narrazioni del senso materico e funzionale; sono stor...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Antique Brass-Plated Desk, Pols Potten Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Antique brass-plated desk, Pols Potten Studio.
Dimensions: W 120.5 x D 51 x H 75.5 cm.
Materials: Black powder-coated iron frame, aluminum, antique brass-plated top.
Pols Pott...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Iron, Aluminum
Peach Bookend Mould Project by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
Peach bookend mould project by Theodora Alfredsdottir.
Unique
Materials: Jesmonite
Dimensions: 110 x 80 x 180mm.
Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product design studio based in Lond...
Category
2010s English Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cement
Mould for Bookend by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
Mould for bookend by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Unique piece
Materials: MDF
Dimensions: 19 x 22 x 10 cm
Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product design studio based in London.
Theodor...
Category
2010s English Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Renzo Set Concrete Tray Made in Italy Brown&Green Cement Christmas Edition
Located in Rome, Lazio
Now available in Christmas Edition!
Renzo Line is a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in different color compositions. Eac...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Concrete
Brass Starfish Sculpture / Paperweight
By Art Brass Co.
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A nicely cast starfish paperweight, sculpture or hanging sculpture since it has a hook to the backside. Well made and can be used in the office or as a decorative accessory, made in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Korean Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Renzo Trays + Vertebra Concrete Candleholder Cement Christmas Edition
Located in Rome, Lazio
Now available in Christmas Edition!
Renzo Line is a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in different color compositions. E...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Concrete
Stylized Crystal Frog Sculpture / Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized crystal frog sculpture / paperweight, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clari...
Category
20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Paul Dupre-Lafon Hermes Paris Scissors, Paper Knife in Leather Scabbard, Signed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of scissors and letter opener in a handstitched, elephant gray leather scabbard by Paul Dupre-Lafon for Hermes, Paris. This desk set was well-used by its once owner who was ap...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
"Astuccio" Leather Case Designed by Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Astuccio" is a leather case, designed and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the available range: tan, si...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
"Carlo" Riveted Leather Wastepaper Bin by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Carlo" is a riveted leather wastepaper bin, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the available range: tan, sienna, orange, red, red-purple, dark brown, khaki, blue, black.
DIMENSIONS:
D. 10.2", W. 10.2", H. 13.3"
The leather is doubled to obtain greater thickness and a color contrast between inner and outer surfaces; it's then folded and held together by metal rivets: the object has taken shape.
Leather, robust and soft, which maturates over time like wood, wine, brandy and cheese, is a material suitable for a living relationship with people and things it has to do with: it absorbs their scent and gives its own. It protects, gathers and changes shape, as it retains something of the life it once had.
Past experiences in working with leather, with objects of common use transformed into their own form by the material of which they were made (baskets, boxes, trays, writing-desk items, small pieces of furniture, in addition to bags and cases, of course) have led Oscar Maschera to today’s production which has exceeded even the limits of explicit reality to get the pure form of the objects, reaching beyond the risky limit of mere functionality.
CLAUDE BOUCHARD, interior architect and designer by training, is well known for his pieces of design in ceramics, porcelain, glass, metal and wood for firms such as Hermès...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
"Proust" Leather Mouse Pad Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Proust" is a leather mouse pad, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned.
Colors combinatio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
"Paper Bag" by California Bronze
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Whimsical "paper bag" made from cast metal from California Bronze. Would make for a fun decorative piece in any interior. Photographed atop a Cappellini sid...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Modern Lucite Desk Organizer by Guzzini
By Guzzini
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional modern lucite desk organizer by Guzzini of Italy, circa 1980s. The piece is in good condition and measures 4.5"W x 4.5"D x 5.25"H...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Zhuang Desk, Multi-Purpose Box in Saddle Leather Tortora Colour
Located in New York, NY
In Chinese ‘zhuang’ means to protect something precious. The collection of Zhuang containers designed by Neri & Hu for Poltrona Frau consists of a series of containers can be used fr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Herman Miller Signed Leaf LED Desk Lamp by Yves Behar Model G6510.3Y Modern 2007
Located in Miami, FL
Modern LED Leaf Desk lamp designed by Yves Behar and made by Herman Miller.
Organic shaped steel in Dove gray with adjustable LED Arm and rotates.
Touch controls at the base turn ...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Steel
Renzo Set Concrete Tray Made in Italy Red&White Cement Christmas Edition
Located in Rome, Lazio
Now available in Christmas Edition!
Renzo Line is a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in different color compositions. Eac...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Concrete
Contemporary Glazed Ceramic Explorer Vase No.1 by Jaime Hayon, green, blue white
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
The shapely forms of the pieces in the Explorer Collection, have been condensed into these vases. They are objects that are part of my cosmos, taken from my drawings. The materialisa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Peachy Pink Pearlized Jewelry or Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful peachy pink pearlized veneered decorative, jewelry, vanity or trinket box, with a wood interior.
Dimensions: 4.13" Depth x 6.19" Width
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Laminate, Wood
English Burl Wood Obelisk
Located in New York, NY
A brown burl wood obelisk, circa early-20th century, England. Obelisk is hand-crafted in a rich brown burl. A beautiful decorative object for a bookshelf, office, desk, etc. Dimensio...
Category
Early 20th Century English Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Burl
Danese Milano Perpetual Wall English Calendar in Wood by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Calendario bilancia is a wall calendar that underlines the passing of time thanks to the human intervention needed to methodically change the date each and every day. It consists of ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Handcrafted Bookend "Keres" in Oxidized Brass by Anaktae
By ANAKTAE
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted bookend model "Keres" in oxidized brass with a curved contour.
This bookend is part of the "Proetus Series", a collection of six bookends in brass.
Variatio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Onyx Marble Box
Located in New York, NY
A small '70s modern hexagon shaped onyx box with lid, circa 1970s. Box is multicolored onyx, in a hexagon shape with lid and feet. A nice piece to hold small items on a desk, or smal...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
Arman Violins Accumulations Paperweight for Christofle, France, 1980s
By Arman, Christofle
Located in Milan, IT
Arman violins accumulations metal paperweight for Christofle, France, 1983.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Zhuang Desk, Pen Holder Case in Saddle Leather Tortora Colour
Located in New York, NY
In Chinese ‘zhuang’ means to protect something precious. The collection of Zhuang containers designed by Neri & Hu for Poltrona Frau consists of a series of containers can be used freely in the various areas of the home or office to store both valuable objects or everyday items.
All containers in the Zhuang collection are made from solid Canaletto walnut, carved from a single piece by numerically controlled machinery and finished with a Cuoio Saddle Extra leather belt. The saddle-leather is embellished with very fine stitching with slightly contrasting yarn and the branded Poltrona Frau logo.
Part of the lids of the Zhuang office pen holder...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Tronador Large Mini Box, Brown Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Onyx
Carl Aubock Set of Smoking Accessories
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass and Wicker Wrapped pipe stand (Or Paperweight) with two brass spoon rests.
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Berd Vay'e Limited Edition "Time Squared" Lucite Sculpture 'Large'
By Berd Vay'e
Located in New Orleans, LA
Berd Vay'e Limited Edition "Time Squared" Lucite sculpture
Structured integrity; the Time Squared sculpture appears to tumble through time, resting remarkably mid-air -- a spectacul...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Coral Size 10 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot Made to Order Hand Made from Reclaimed Wood
Located in calgary, CA
Log bowls combine the beauty of a tree in its natural state with a high-gloss, vibrant finish. Each bowl is handmade using locally reclaimed trees of all var...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Willow
Tronador Medium Mini Box, Brown Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Onyx
Sage Size 9 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot Made to Order Hand Made from Reclaimed Wood
Located in calgary, CA
Perfect as a feature objet d'art on your table or shelves, a catch-all for jewellery and special items, or displayed as a group for a striking centrepiece.
Each Log Bowl is unique and makes the perfect one of a kind gift.
Log Bowls...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Willow
Pair of Bookends Balls, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of bookends balls, 20th century"
Pair of Bookends forming two marble balls on a stand, 20th Century decorative object.
Category
20th Century European Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Aina Jurassic Fossil Marble Keops Pyramid Game Sculpture, Living Collection
Located in ES
Keops Pyramid game sculpture sculpted from four solid pieces of Jurassic Marble, with Nerineas fossils. Do you dare to try to build it? Designed by AINA and manufactured by NERINEA i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Vintage German Made Globe, Globe Terrestre Wooden Base
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Nice vintage globe, issued in the 1960s by Professor Doctor Arthur Krause. The globe has a wooden base, oak. The sphere itself is made of cardboard cover...
Category
1960s German Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Karl Springer Waste Basket in Tessellated Travertine, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Meticulously crafted waste basket in tessellated travertine with gilded accents and solid brass feet by Maitland Smith for Karl Springer, American 1980's (bottom lined in fabric). Ta...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Aina Contemporary Jurassic Fossil Marble Glacies Cube, Living Collection
Located in ES
Glacies Cube sculpted from a solid piece of Jurassic Marble, with Nerineas fossils, in raw finish. Designed by AINA and manufactured by NERINEA in our factory located in Valencia (Spain). All Aina’s products are delivered with a certificate of material authenticity.
Let us tell you the story of the Jurassic Fossil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Steven Lundberg / Lundberg Studios Glass Tiger Lily Pedestal Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Lundberg Studios pedastal paperweight.
By Steven Lundberg.
With an upright tiger lily lampwork flower.
Signed and dated at the foot.
...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Coral Size 8 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot Hand Made from Reclaimed Wood
Located in calgary, CA
Log bowls combine the beauty of a tree in its natural state with a high-gloss, vibrant finish. Each bowl is handmade using locally reclaimed trees of all varieties (fallen or cut down due to infrastructure or inclement weather). The trees are hand selected, gathered, turned and finished by Loyal Loot...
Category
Early 2000s Canadian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Willow
Scissor, Letter Opener, Leather Desk Set
Located in Denton, TX
Gold leaf design on bankers green leather holder with nickel plated letter opener and D shaped handle forged scissors.
Category
20th Century North American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Curtis Jere Honeybird Sculpture on Faux Bois Stone Quartz Base
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Honeybird sculpture by Curtis Jere Faux Bois on stone quartz base.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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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