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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
1
203
89
21
to
58
313
355
313
275
288
703
313
183
111
103
97
55
33
28
26
25
23
21
17
17
16
7
6
203
110
6
39
129
1
3
14
53
18
11
Height
to
Width
to
130
66
60
54
34
186
126
82
73
35
48
39
11
11
7
Item Ships From: USA
Style: Modern
Danese Milano Large Citera Box in Stainless Steel by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Citera is a large box made using a combination of contrasting materials, polished stainless steel and rosewood. The lid can either be opened on hinges or simply placed on top and the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Danese Milano Koro Wastepaper Basket in White by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Koro is a waste paper basket intended for the workplace and in public spaces. The cylindrical form is made of injection-moulded polypropylene.
Enzo Mari is one of the masters of I...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Danese Milano Maiorca White Pencil & Paperclip Aluminum Holder by Bruno Munari
Located in Hicksville, NY
White Maiorca is a pencil and paperclip holder with fire resistant melamine shell and anodized aluminium interior fumé.
Bruno Munari was one of the most important Italian architec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
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
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
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4.25 inches, width 3.25 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Kartell U Shine Vase in Green 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
Kartell U Shine Vase in Crystal 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
Plastic
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4.75 inches, width 4.25 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Italian Modern Alabaster Marble Round Decorative Sphere or Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
An Italian '70s modern alabaster marble round decorative sphere or paperweight, circa 1970s, Italy. Marked "Genuine Alabaster", "Hand Carved", "Made ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Danese Milano Compartment for In Attesa/Koro in Black by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Danese Milano Compartment for In Attesa/Koro waste paper basket in black by Enzo Mari
Enzo Mari is one of the masters of Italian Design. He was born in No...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Danese Milano Koro Wastepaper Basket in Black by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Koro is a waste paper basket intended for the workplace and in public spaces. The cylindrical form is made of injection-moulded polypropylene.
Enzo Mari is one of the masters of I...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Danese Milano Canarie White Desk Set in Aluminum by Bruno Munari
Located in Hicksville, NY
White Canarie is a desk set made up of a pencil holder, a paperclip holder and two ashtrays. It was designed to help keep a desk or work surface in order with everything you might ne...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
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
Yellow Porcelain Coffee or Tea Cup Saucer Set with Tulip Flowers
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful hand-painted porcelain tulip flower coffee or tea cup and saucer set, circa early 20th century, Japan. Japan is known for its fine porcelain. Better than any paper cup...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Thin Book Ends in Contemporary Bronze and Steel in various Patinas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Thin bookends explore a miniature variation of Kin & Company’s iconic Thin Chair. Beautifully paired with books, plants, or small accessories, the Thin ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Steel
Italian Brown and Blue Alabaster Marble Jewelry or Desk Box
Located in New York, NY
An Italian dark brown alabaster marble jewelry box with a blue matte metal hinge. Box can hold jewelry or other small items. Marked made in Italy on bottom as shown in image #15 and ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Alabaster, Marble, Metal
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 5 inches, width 2.75 inches, height 1.25 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Vintage Signed Molten Bronze and Black Metal Cascading Dali, Esque Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This sensual and fabulous 2 part limited edition signed vintage sculpture is molten bronze cascading in a body form perched atop the black metal base. The bronze looks like rose gold...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: diameter 4 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Springs ON 50% OFF SALE...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4.5 inches, width 3.5 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Sprin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Kartell U Shine Vase in Smoke 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
Kartell I Shine in Green 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
Danese Milano Bincan Fermasacchetto Bag Clip in White by Naoto Fukasawa
Located in Hicksville, NY
Danese Milano Bincan Fermasacchetto bag clip in white for Bincan wastepaper basket by Naoto Fukasawa
Naoto Fukasawa is a Japanese designer. He was born in 1956 in Yamanashi and ha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Danese Milano Bincan Trash Wastepaper Basket in Black by Naoto Fukasawa
Located in Hicksville, NY
Bincan cestino is part of the Bincan collection which was designed for the work place and can be adapted to any environment whether internal or external, public or private. This piec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Hermes Desktop Magnifier Paperweight in Silver, 1960s
By Hermès
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Hermes Paris magnifying glass desk accessory with domed lens ensconced in a silver frame with a belt design. We've left the oxidation and patina untouched and simply added a ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Danese Milano Flores White Box in Stainless Steel by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
White Flores is a rounded, plastic pencil case. It is made up of two parts in polystyrene. The hinges are the distinctive invention of the designer and with their interlocking mechan...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Polystyrene
Maitland Smith Horn, Abalone and Wood Hinged Octagonal Box Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This exquisite and rare vintage Maitland Smith large hinged box box has a beautiful medallion on top of a black stone set into brass. The box is a beautiful combination of horn, abal...
Category
1970s Philippine Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Vintage Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian spherical onyx desk paperweight, in natural neutral hues / Made in Italy circa 1970s
Measures: diameter 4 inches
1 in stock in Palm Springs ON 50% OFF SALE for $199 !...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
Karl Springer Rare Mounted Magnifying Lens, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Rare adjustable magnifying lens with beautifully crafted mount in polished chrome and brass by Karl Springer, American 1980's. The mixed metal gives it a truly bespoke look.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Pair of Lucite Bookends
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Pair of vintage Lucite bookends made with recycle acrylic bank window protection.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic, Lucite
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4 inches, width 3 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Springs O...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Vintage Zellique Art Glass Pear
Located in Vallejo, CA
A beautiful vintage Zellique studio art glass pear. Beautiful satin semi iridescent finish to the glass. Signed on the base.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
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
Danese Milano Formosa Perpetual Wall English Calendar in Natural by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Formosa is a wall calendar with an aluminium back plate that supports the removable sheets of pvc that make up the date. The font used in the black and red version is Helvetica and t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 5 inches, width 4 inches, height 2.25 inch
1 in stock in Palm Springs ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Silver Plate Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver plate letter opener - a large and well designed letter opener in silver plate - ergonomically designed and weighted on one end for easy handling and an artful design - handsom...
Category
20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Vintage Multicolored Floral Medallion Glass Vase by Rick Strini
Located in Soquel, CA
Gorgeous multicolored vase with olive green and blue swirled background highlighted with four unique black medallions of rose bouquets by Rick Strini (American, 20th century). Signed...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Blown Glass
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
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 5 inches, width 4.5 inches, height 1 inch
1 in stock in Palm Springs O...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Enzo Mari, Rare Resin Cube, Sculpture, Paperweight, with Polyhedral Inside
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very rare Mari resin cube from the 1950s, it measures in cm 7 x 7 x 7, has a couple of flee bites in 2 corners. Similar sample with black inside in Progressione di sculptur...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
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
Danese Milano Bincan Fermasacchetto Bag Clip in Black by Naoto Fukasawa
Located in Hicksville, NY
Danese Milano Bincan Fermasacchetto bag clip in black for Bincan wastepaper basket by Naoto Fukasawa
Naoto Fukasawa is a Japanese designer. He was born in 1956 in Yamanashi and ha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Modern Lucite and Steel Desk Organizer
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional modern Lucite and steel desk organizer, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 8.75" W x 10.75" D x 3.25" H. #1452.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Italian Murano Seguso Viro Art Glass Vase, Italy 1990s
By Seguso Viro, Seguso
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and colorful Italian Seguso Viro Murano art glass vase, Italy, circa 1990s, late-20th century. Maker's mark on bottom/underside as shown...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Vintage Gucci Note Pad Holder and Desk Accessory
By Gucci
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful vintage Italian signed Gucci note pad holder has wood backing with flip topnote holder and the iconic logo fabric Gucci symbols as the f...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Crystal Geometric Paperweight or Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful crystal geometric paperweight or decorative object, circa late-20th century. A great decorative object (as shown) and a great piece for a desk, office, library, etc. Very...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Set of Bruno Munari for Danese Rosewood Rubber Mail Stamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of five rosewood and rubber mail stamps by Bruno Munari for Danese, Italy, c.1960s. Bruno Munari was an Italian graphic artist and industrial designer ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Rubber, Rosewood
English Teign Valley Red Art Glass Sculpture Paper Weight Bookend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful hand blown art glass sculpture from Teign Valley Glass in England. The shop has been around since the early 20th C. and is renowned for ...
Category
20th Century English Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Lucite Obelisk Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A modern style Lucite obelisk decorative object, circa late-20th century. A great decorative object for a deck, office, library, shelf, cocktail table, etc. Obelisk measures: 8" Height.
Other items shown in images also available, search 1stDibs ref. #s:
Black and White marble pyramid, ref. #: LU1314223512602
Lucite & 1970s Pennies Paperweight...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Pair of English Teign Valley Red Art Glass Sculptures Paper Weight Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful hand blown art glass sculpture from Teign Valley Glass in England. The shop has been around since the early 20th C. and is renowned for ...
Category
20th Century English Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Danese Milano Flores Graphite Box in Stainless Steel by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Graphite Flores is a rounded, plastic pencil case. It is made up of two parts in polystyrene. The hinges are the distinctive invention of the designer and with their interlocking mec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Polystyrene
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 Studio Art Glass Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
Modern studio art glass paperweight in clear glass with cased white glass and controlled bubbles forming a medusa shaped element within the piec...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Wall Street Dollar Sign and Bull Brass Desk Paperweights
Located in New York, NY
A set of Wall Street brass paperweights or decorative objects; a brass dollar sign and bull, circa mid to late-20th century. Great desk accessories.
Dimensions:
Dollar sign: 2....
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Signed Feliciano Bejar Green Cut Glass Sculpture, circa 1990
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Cut glass and brushed aluminum table sculpture by Feliciano Béjar (1920-2007), Mexico, 1990's.
His art sculptures dating from the 1960's through 1990's uses glass ground with either...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Crystal Geometric Honeycomb Paperweight or Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful crystal geometric honeycomb style paperweight or decorative object, circa late-20th century. A great decorative object (as shown) and a great piece for a desk, office, li...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Murano Sommerso Glass Horse Head Bust Signed Italian
Located in North Miami, FL
This Italian Murano Sommerso glass horse head is signed Bortaro. It is lovely and in then colors of black, gray and clear. The mane of hair in hand b...
Category
1980s Unknown Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Blown Glass
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Equestrian Desk
Crystal Inkwell With Lid
Hermes Desk Set
Retro Pen Holder For Desk
Telephone Cord
Bath Accessory
Bath Accessories
Dial Telephone
Sterling Silver Magnifying Glass
Antique Magnifiers
Office Paper Organizer
Tiffany Pen
Antique Magnifier
Victorian Antique Magnifying Glass
Tiffany Pens
Rotary Desk
Wax Seal Stamp
Irish Antique Desk