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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Modern
Cartier Vintage Black Sunglasses with Box, 1990 Silver Logo
By Cartier
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Cartier classic black sunglasses with silver CC logo.
Classic, timeless, sophisticated piece to add to your wardrobe
Authentic, vintage, rare, Cartier Paris France Black Ja...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
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
Vintage Abstract Brass and Black Granite Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This tall fabulous vintage polished brass abstract sculpture has been put on a new black granite base. It is vintage from the 70s and has 2 interconnected abstract bodies. The brass ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Granite, Brass
Set of 3 Murano Ducks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 3 vintage hand blown Murano glass ducks infused with gold flecks, with Swarovski crystal eyes / Made in Italy, circa 1980s
"Murano Glass" etc...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Modern Baseball Paperweight by Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This refined Mid-Century Modern baseball paperweight- executed in translucent crystal- represents the simple elegance of Tiffany & Co. at its finest. Since its founding in 1837, Tiff...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
White Porcelain Ashtray Made in Germany
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage pure white china ashtray.
With a fresh, contemporary modern look with embossed arabesques design.
Hotelporzellan, Hogermann.
Made in Germany, cir...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Danese Milano Canarie White 2 Pencil/Paperclip Aluminum Holders by Bruno Munari
Located in Hicksville, NY
White Canarie 2 Pencil & Paperclip Holders 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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Berd Vay'e Limited Edition "Horosphere" Lucite Sculpture 'Small'
By Berd Vay'e
Located in New Orleans, LA
Berd Vay'e limited edition "Horosphere" Lucite sculpture
Aspherical globe embracing both fluidity and precision; an exacting orb which allows the eye a 360° vantage point to the tho...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Yonel Lebovici Resort Letter Holder
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Ressort letter holder by Yonel Lebovici
Made in France, circa 1969
"Ressort" model. Produced in a limited edition of 500 by Distrimex.
An identical example is in the permanent col...
Category
20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Stainless Steel
Black Leather Tray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black leather with pressed crocodile effect and stainless steel tray / Made in Italy
Measures: Length 14 inches, width 14 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Springs ON 20% OF...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vintage Hermes Desk Blotter
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stitched maroon leather with gilt bronze posts, circa 1960s. Gold foil stamp on verso.
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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
Black and White Marble Pyramid Obelisk Style Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A black, charcoal and white marble pyramid 'Obelisk style', circa 1970s, 20th century. Dimensions: 2.63" square base x 7.88" height.
Other items shown in images also available, search 1stDibs ref. #s:
Lucite & 1970s Pennies paperweight...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Stanley Szwarc Stainless Steel Rectangular Large Box Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous long and unusual rectangular box is polished satin stainless steel. The dimensions of the work on top have flower like bursts in Industrial and floral forms. It is not ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Brass Signed Woman Seated Vintage Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely brass vintage limited edition brass abstract sculpture of a seated woman is signed but not legible and it is numbered 21 /100. It is great from all angles and makes a great desk or cocktail table accessory...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Fingers Letter Holder with Granite Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze legs letter holder by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a patinated bronze set of fingers that are separated to store envelo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Granite, Bronze
Crystal Pink Ashtray for Val Saint Lambert, Paper Weight Signed
By Guido Bon, Val Saint Lambert
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Free-blown pink and clear crystal ashtray by Val Saint Lambert.
Could be used as a vide poche or decorative desk accessories.
Hand blown beautif...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Thumbs Letter Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze thumbs letter holder by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a patinated bronze pair of opposing thumbs that are separated to s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Sommerso Black Charcoal Gray Clear Abstract Freeform Glass Paperweight
Located in North Miami, FL
This unusual freeform abstract glass sommerso paperweight changes forms, shapes and dynamics with each turn and placement. Colors of gradients of black, charcoal gray to gray are imm...
Category
1970s European Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Blown Glass
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Finger Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze finger by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a bronze finger in a curved position with the tip f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Shocking Pink Paperweight Art Glass Egg Controlled Bubble Tapio Wirkkala Style
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Shocking pink paperweight Tapio Wirkkala style controlled bubble art glass decorative egg design signed 1990
Unable to read signature
Attributed to ...
Category
1990s Unknown Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Vintage Leather Stitched Agenda Refillable by Tumi
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage brown soft leather agenda refillable by Tumi.
The agenda is lined in brown polished stitched leather and has convenient diagonal pockets on the ...
Category
20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Italian Red Burgundy Suede and Snakeskin Picture Frame, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A '70s Modern Italian red burgundy suede and snakeskin picture frame, circa 1970s, Italy. Frame can sit in two positions; vertical (as shown) or horizontal. Picture/image area: 4.5" ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Animal Skin, Suede
Shops & Boutiques, Foreword by Giorgio Armani by Grant Camden Kirkkpatric AIA
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Shops & Boutiques. Foreword by Giorgio Armani. Grant Camden Kirkkpatric AIA.
Published by NY: PBC Interational, INC., (1994).
179 pages. Hardcover.
"Never before has the relations...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Paper
Opulent Jay Strongwater Jeweled Enamel Wedding Keepsake Picture Frame
Located in Tustin, CA
Gorgeous handmade and hand painted cast metal decorative picture frame from the Jay Strongwater "Duchess" collection features exquisitely subtle, glossy pearl enamel work coloration,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Enamel
French Moser-Millot Crystal Art Glass Fish Sculpture Decorative Object
By Moser
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, substantial and rare French crystal art glass tropical fish sculpture decorative object from Cristallerie Moser-Millot, circa mid-...
Category
Early 20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Wicker Cane and Acrylic Tissue Box Holder Cover in the style of Dior
Located in New York, NY
A wicker cane and acrylic tissue holder box in the style of Christian Dior Home. This acrylic and wicker cane box holds standard size tissues. Beautiful natural wicker cane and chic ...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cane, Acrylic, Wicker
Vintage Maserati Eyeglasses Titanium Black
By Maserati
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Maserati eyeglasses titanium black.
Vintage glasses maserati angular shape circa 1980s
Glasses are delivered without a case.
Have an optici...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Chris Buzzini Artist-Proof Orchid Flower and Roots Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine studio glass paperweight by Chris Buzzini.
With a lampwork orchid (including the roots).
With a signature cane to the reverse of the ro...
Category
1990s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Bruno Munari Silver-Plate Sculptural Vase with Glass Insert Italian Vintage
By Bruno Munari
Located in North Miami, FL
This undulating sculptural vintage silver-plate vase signed B.Munari on the bottom 1973 is both sculptural and utilitarian. It is Italian by Bruno Munari made for Danese and a lovely vase and or desk accessory and will have so many other applications. it can also be used as a candle holder without the glass insert. The small glass vessel is short and will hold a few roses, a few orchids or a few gardenias or your favorite flower. It is 4" height x 2" diameter. Please note this is not the re-issue and is totally vintage...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Randall Grubb Flat Flower Bouquet Glass Paperweight with a Millefiori Garland
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, signed lampwork paperweight by Randall Grubb.
With a flat floral bouquet surrounded by a millefiori ring or garland.
With a G signat...
Category
1990s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Rene Dumas Lucite Sculptural Chess Players French Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
The designer of these amazing vintage French lucite modernist chess players from the 1970s are by Renee Dumas who is related to the Hermes family. They a...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Modern Brass Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful modern brass letter opener, circa 20th century, Europe. Dimension: 9.94" long/wide.
White French vide-poche catch-all shown also available, ...
Category
20th Century European Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Italian Yellow Leather and Suede Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian light-yellow leather picture frame with suede backing, circa early 21st century. Frame was made in Italy for Barneys New York as marked on back, please see image ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Suede
Silver Plated Equestrian Letter Opener, Italy, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver plated equestrian letter opener, Italy, 1980s.
This is a must-have on any gentleman collector's wish list.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Andy Warhol Cover Post-War & Contemporary Art Christie's New York Catalog Book
Located in New York, NY
An Andy Warhol cover Post-War and Contemporary Art Christie's New York 'Evening Sale' catalog book, 2010.
A beautifully done catalog book (soft-cove...
Category
2010s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Paper
Italian Silver Plate and Burgundy Crocodile Buckle Hinged Box Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and gorgeous Italian vintage hinged silver plate buckle box has a burgundy crocodile leather buckle part. It was professionally polished and the bottom of the box had t...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Austrian Bronze Desk Set Smelter by Heinrich Krippel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Austrian Heroic Smelter Worker 20th century bronze sculpture desk set signed by Heinrich Krippel, 1883-1945.
Note- Ink container is missing..
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Aurelio Teno Signed Silvered Bronze, Enamel, Quartz and Marble Sculpture Vintage
By Aurelio Teno
Located in North Miami, FL
This Brutalist inspired signed Aurelio Teno sensational Spanish sculpture is a combination of silvered bronze, quartz, amethyst and painted enamel over the bronze. It sits on a marbl...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Quartz, Marble, Silver, Bronze, Enamel
Bronze Figurative Abstract Sculpture Signed French
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful cast bronze figurative French abstract sculpture is a single breast as the subject matter. It is signed and numbered 100. It has been professionally polished. Sorry th...
Category
1990s French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Antonio Grediaga Kieff Bronze Abstract Sculpture Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This sensual and amazing small edition bronze sculpture is by the noted and prolific Canadian sculptor: Antonio Grediaga Kieff. It is abstract and ch...
Category
1980s Canadian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Arnaldo Pomodoro Unsigned Rare Letter Tray "Il Sestante"bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare bronze made for the very well known artist Arnaldo Pomodoro. This is one of the pieces of the desk set, entitled , " Il Sestante" Normally you can see the boxes in a...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Catherine Noll Arched Silver Plate and Gradient Color Lucite Sculpture Vintage
By Catherine Noll
Located in North Miami, FL
This special tall lucite and silver plate elegant and organic arched sculpture was designed by Catherine Noll whose famous grandfather was Alexandre Noll. He was a well know sculptor who made fabulous sculptures out of carving simple wood. This sculpture which resembles a form of a horn was done in 1970. The arched form is lucite and the square base is silver plate. The lucite has gradients of gray tones as light hits it. It is organic modern with elegant lines. Catherine Noll was mainly a Parisian jewelry designer who started her illustrious design career back then. The materials she worked with in jewelry consisted of wood, ivory, Perspex and crystal. Catherine was in art school at the famous Beaux Arts when her noted and famous sculptor grandfather; Alexander Noll...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Hermès Vintage Silver Plate Equestrian Paper Holder or Desk Accessory
By Hermès
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful vintage Hermès paper holder or letter clip is on the rare side. It is signed Hermès Paris and is polished silver plate. It was desig...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Vintage Sterling Silver Letter Opener Torchon, Italy, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage sterling silver letter opener torchon, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Male and Female Sculpture on Black Marble Base, circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
A vintage midcentury 1960s reproduction of a figurative male and female 'embracing' sculpture piece on black marble base, circa 1963, New York, New York. Sculpture has maker's mark o...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Composition, Marble
Modern Acrylic Bookends, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of clear acrylic bookends with Modern edge and jewel-like design, circa mid-20th century, 1960s. Each measure: 6" Height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite
Italian Silver and Black Wood Turner Letter Opener, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian silver and black wood turner letter opener.
Good vintage condition.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Vintage Romeo Paris Copper and Gold Leaf Embedded Lucite Column Lamp, French
By Romeo Paris
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing and stunning thick walled French vintage lucite column lamp is attributed to the work of Romeo Paris. It has inclusions of floating copper and gold leaf elements in fractal form. It is tall, heavy and has separate lucite columns inside. This is a piece de resistance...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Leaf, Copper
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tessellated Stone Boxes by Maitland Smith
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pair of modernist boxes were realized by the celebrated 20th century design firm Maitland Smith in the Philippines, circa 1980. They feature two cylindrical bodies- one ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Claude Boeltz Exploded Bronze Picture Frame w/ 24kt Gold & Rock Crystal Details
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite coral-form picture frame was realized by the esteemed artist Claude Victor Boeltz in France. They are among artists 24-karat gold plated "exploded-bronze" pieces made ...
Category
20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Rock Crystal, Gold, Bronze
Agate Onyx and Brass Desk Pen Holder, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A '70s modern brass and onyx/agate desk pen holder. Onyx/agate is a red burgundy hue. Pen is in fine working order.
Picture frame and brass tape dispenser...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Agate, Onyx, Brass
Acrylic Lucite Magazine Holder Stand, 1976
Located in New York, NY
A chic '70s Modern acrylic magazine holder rack stand, marked '1976' on side as shown in last image. Piece has three storage compartment areas ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite
Romeo Rega Signed Brass and Chrome-Plated Checkers Game, Italian Vintage
By Romeo Rega
Located in North Miami, FL
This ultra chic and modern signed Italian Romeo Rega vintage checkers game has sculptural components. It is great just even as a decorative object or ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Modern Marble Female Torso Figurative Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A substantial modern female figurative marble torso sculpture piece by artist/sculptor Helga Brinitzer, circa 20th century, New York. Piece is solid marble, made from one piece, and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Vintage Brass Pyramid Triangle Tall Modernist Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This truly arresting vintage modernist brass pyramid sculpture has been professionally polished. It is in a combination of a tall pyramid and triangle form and has 7 random purposeful holes in the front of different sizes. It was so well made at the time. This is a most unusual sculpture...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Box Decorative Brass Swedish, 20th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Box decorative brass Swedish, 20th century, Sweden. A box made in Sweden during the 20th century. Interior with wood. No key.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Silvered Bronze French Christian Maas Birkin Bag Sculpture & Art Limited Edition
By Christian Maas
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing sculpture by the well known French artist and sculptor, Christian Maas is a silvered bronze life-size rendering of the infamous Hermes Kelly Birkin bag. It was a limited edition of 100. It was done in 1990. It is titled the "Sac Kelly". The weight is extremely heavy and weighs excess of approximately 50 lbs. It is complete with engraved Cadena and incised troupe l'oeil special details. This rare and ultra chic piece of art and sculpture is a magnificent edition to any lover of Hermès and or contemporary Pop art sculpture collector. It is signed on the bottom as shown in the photos as Francis and D'Estaing which is the nom de plume of Christian Maas. His pseudonym is D'Estaing. That is how it was signed and intended by the sculptor. Since this was a limited edition of only 100, this makes it even more desirable and collectable. The talented sculptor was born in 1951 and is now deceased unfortunately. The height to the opening of what would be the top is 11.25" H. The height handle is below. There are no more being made from the cast mold...
Category
1990s French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
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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