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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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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Style: Modern
21st Century Renzo Set Concrete Tray 100% Handmade in Italy
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Concrete
Post War Triumph Glass Box by Leo De Carlo
By Vetralia
Located in Milan, IT
This extraordinary Pop Culture design by Leo Decarlo exclusively handcrafted for Vetralia will be a sublime addition to a refined contemporary interior. An engraved crystal box with a lid, it is decorated with gold-coated brass statuettes...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Salta Medium Square Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Stone, Metal
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
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
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 In Attesa Wastepaper Basket in Opaline by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
In attesa is a wastepaper basket. It is an injection moulded polypropylene cylinder but the base is not perpendicular to the sides instead it is at a diagona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
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
SALTA Medium Square Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Stone, 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
Bracelet in Gold, Emerald and Brilliant
Located in Madrid, ES
Bracelet in gold, emerald and brilliant.
It has 5 emeralds and 4 brilliants. 18k gold.
Measures 20 cm length and weight 20g
Very good condition. Measure: 20cm.
Category
20th Century Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold
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
Quartz PI Disk with Rose Quartz Base
By Didoni
Located in Milan, IT
This astonishing Pi disk is inspired by the ancient Chinese tradition, representing eternity, the sun and sky, and courage and honor. The carved piece features as flat, clear quartz ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Quartz, Metal, Gold
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Polished Black with Suede and Leather by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
For your collectable watches, black polished box with suede dividers and leather handles. Box holds nine watches.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Suede, Wood
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
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
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
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
Contemporary Handcrafted Geometric Bookend "Tropi 1" in Solid Marble by Anaktae
By ANAKTAE
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary handcrafted geometric bookend "Tropi 1" in solid marble.
Each bookend is composed of two geometric pieces of solid marble fused togeth...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Brass Face Mask Sculpture Hagenauer Style Black Stand Vintage
By Balos
Located in North Miami, FL
This arresting vintage tall polished brass face sculpture has innuendos of partial tribal design meets Hagenauer meets modern. It is from the 70's...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
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
Chrome, Brass
Salta Medium Square Black Onyx Stone & Brass Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Stone, Metal
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
Salta Large Square Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Stone, Metal
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
Mahjong Game Board in Black Polished Ebony Passione Di Gioco by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Ebony polished mahjong with ruthenium brass parts.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ebony
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
New Modern Trivet in Black Marquinia Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Trivet in Nero Marquinia marble, designed by Ivan Colominas.
Size: 26 x 2 cm, smooth finishing.
Commercial name: Myron, Materia e Tavola collection by the Spanish Designer Ivan Colominas.
Available also in White Michelangelo marble. Made in Italy, hand finished.
Sculptural, bright white, well-defined and multi-fold. Colominas has created a table service inspired by Angelo Mangiarotti’s soft lines, exalting the shape and structure of objects that characterise the exploration of one of the greatest pleasures afforded us, food.
Mmairo loves wining and dining, good food and entertaining...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Small Egg Color Green, in Glass, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
The charm of the shapes is enhanced by the material with which the collection is made: glass.
Transparency, lightness and shine meet the design, transforming into sculptured object...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
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
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 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
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
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
DeCastelli Riviera Pots 1 Flower 60 Planter in Stainless Steel by Aldo Cibic
By DeCastelli, Aldo Cibic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“I’ve always been drawn to nature as it manifests its strength in unexpected contexts”. With this, Aldo Cibic built a miniature natural landscape, poetically made of structures, cont...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
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
Essenze Magnifying Glass and Letter Opener Set by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
Elegant letter opener set having a sophisticated handle made of erica, the precious wood used to make luxury pipes, combined with an elegant and decorative element made of ebony wood...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
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
Yellow Rabbit Door Stopper / Bookends, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Yellow rabbit as a door stopper / bookends.
Made in Italy:
Made in Italy furniture means design, quality, style and sophistication.
The typical elega...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Old Model of a Private Plane Falcon, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Old model of a private plane falcon. Very interesting model of a private plane model falcon. Years 70. It is made entirely in massive aluminum. Totally we...
Category
20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
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
Pair of Desk Accessories Faux Shagreen Sharkor Ray Skin Pen Pot & Desk Tidy
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of desk accessories in Faux Shargeen shark skin
A very good looking and well made pair, ideally suited as a letter rack and pen pot...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Fabric
Ruelland Ceramic Pebble, circa 1960, France
Located in Paris, FR
Small ceramic pebble by Jacques (1926-2088) and Dani Ruelland (1933-2010).
Signed Ruelland under the base.
Circa 1960, France.
Category
20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
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
Ghidini 1961 Omini Cards Holder in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Business cards holder in brass, ideal for holding cards.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
21st Century by Arch. Aldo Rossi "Sannazzaro" Marble Paperweight
By Aldo Rossi
Located in massa, IT
Marble Paperweight designed by Aldo Rossi.
Size: cm 20 x 4 x H4
Materials: Bianco Carrara - Red Travertine - National Travertine - White Lasa
Designed by: Aldo Rossi.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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
Contemporary Handmade Aquamarine Vertical Crystal Picture Frame by Ghirò Studio
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
Salta Large Square Black Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Stone, Metal
21st Century by Giuliano Bettinzolli "Poggia Libro" Desk Marble Complement
By Giuliano Bettinzolli
Located in massa, IT
Desk Marble complement designed by Giuliano Bettinzolli - Set of 2
Price referred to the pair
Size: 2x Cm 16 x 16 x Diameter cm 10
Materials: White Carrara - Black Portoro - Nationa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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
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
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
21st Century Minimalist Paperweight in Portuguese White Marble "Pele de Tigre"
By Techxture
Located in Nelas, PT
S.Voxel - 21st century modern Portuguese "Pele de Tigre" marble paperweight
S.voxelexplores the importance of object scaling and user experience. Voxels coffee tables and side tab...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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
Knotted Double Leather Tray Set Large André Fu Living Accessories Modern New
By André Fu
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
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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