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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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
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
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
Louise Nevelson Style Dimensional Signed Wood Box Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing and intricate carved wood box sculpture that stands tabletop is signed and dated. The signature is not terribly legible but is dated 1996. It is in the style of Louise Nevelson. The box opens to geometric and raised forms that are dimensional. It bridges Folk Art, Tramp Art and modern art all in one. As you can see from the photos it folds up like a small suitcase...
Category
1990s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Galucharme Desk Accessories Set #3 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
There are a lot of tales about Shageen. Supposedly, it was prized since the time of the pharaohs, and during the Chinese Han Dynasty (202 BC - AD 220). It was also used in the constr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
New Modern Vase in White, Black and Red Marbles, creator Matteo Cibic Stock
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Vase in White Michelangelo, Red Levanto and Black Marquinia marbles.
Size: 27.3 x 38.4 x 7.3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Pietro, Homage collection by the Italian designer...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Pencil Holder in Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Pencil holder in stainless steel
When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Agresti Black Polished Wood Chest for 55 Pens with Suede and Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable chest in black polished wood. Holds up to 55 pens.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Suede, Wood
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
Galucharme Desk Accessories Set #1 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
From Galucharme collection in coffee chromatic color, this is a very special and high-class desk gift set, consisting of a pen-holder, a letter-opener and a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Galucharme Desk Accessories Set #5 by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
Europe began importing shagreen-covered objects during 17th and 18th centuries in the mid-1700s, a tanner in Paris became the first European expert, Monsieur Galluchat. Louis XV's mo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Desk Trays Set in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. Dimensions for trays: 35.4 x 23 x 2H cm; 23.5 x 7.5 x 2H cm; 12.5 x 7.5 x 2 H cm.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
Contemporary 'Oasi' Set of Six Crystal Bowls Amber and Gold by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
The set creates a decorative game with a contemporary design ideal to give an unmistakable style to any environment. The shape of a rounded triangle gives sobrietiness and elegance w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Pencil Holder in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Pencil holder in stainless steel
When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Climber Clips Holder in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Paper clips holder in brass
Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
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
Ghidini 1961 Bullet Table Lamp in Brass by Studio Job
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Table lamp in brass and metalized glass.
Materials:
Brass and metallic glass
Net weight:
4.8 kg
Dimensions:
Diameter 17 x 54 height cm.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
New Modern Marble Vase, creator Matteo Cibic, Stock
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Vase in black Marquinia, Red Levanto and white Michelangelo marble,
Size: 38.2 x 23.4 x 7.3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Tacca, Homage Collection by the Italian designer M...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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
DeCastelli Riviera Pots 1 Flower 90 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
Galucharme Table Watch by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
Design Center 1991 is high quality brand, focused in luxury Italian Design home and office accessories. Unique pieces and small series are conceived as self-contained units that comm...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Bronze Rhinocerious Beetle Paperweight
Located in Milan, IT
Chiseled entirely by hand from bronze, the Rhinoceros Beetle Paperweight is one part quirky and one part timeless craftsmanship. Perfect for a traditional office, the piece ensures b...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Nº 1 Contemporary Glazed white and gold Ceramic Showtime 10' Vase by Jaime Hayon
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Showtime vases by Jaime Hayon are the most iconic in BD’s catalogue. For the 10th anniversary of the Hayon's Showtime collection BD asked the designer to come up with a new speic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold
Galucharme Letter Opener and Ruler Set by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
From Galucharme Collection, this is a special desk gift and lovely to look at. The decorative and fashinating leather, with a myriad of pearl-like granules, is covered in shagreen en...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Contemporary Trivet/Coaster in Steel, Circle/Circle, Modern, Minimal, Geometric
Located in Stockholm, SE
Trivets in steel with small rubber pads for protection.
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Polished Black Jewel Box in Maple and Mahogany by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry chest in polished black bird’s-eye maple and mahogany, ultra suede lining, 24-karat gold-plated brass accessories. With necklace bars, lockable doors and five drawers. Adjust...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Maple
Agresti Polished Briarwood and Mahogany Jewel Box with Gold-Plated Hardware
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry chest in polished briarwood and mahogany, ultrasuede lining, 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With necklace bars, lockable doors and five drawers. Adjustable mirror on...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade in Italy Blue Grey Color
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
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Pencil Holder in Rose Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pencil holder in stainless steel. When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless 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 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
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
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 'Dumbbell' Aquamarine Crystal Handmade in Italy by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of decorative objects by Ghiro Studio (Milan, Italy).
Each ‘Dumbbell’ sculpture is a unique piece. It is handmade with the utmost care and attention to detail.
It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
21st Century by Sergio Asti "Pressacarte" Desk Marble Complement (set of 4 pcs)
By Sergio Asti
Located in massa, IT
Desk Marble complement designed by Sergio Asti
Price referred to a complete set of four items:
Size Model 1: Cm H 18 x Diameter cm 6
Size Model 2: Cm H16 x Diameter cm 6
Size Model ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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
New Modern Vase, in various marbles, creator Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Vase in black Marquinia and white Michelangelo Marble,
Size: 38.2 x 23.4 x 7.3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Tacca, Homage Collection by the Italian Designer Matteo Cibic. ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
“Revolve” No.S6 Blue Contemporary Handmade Scagliola Stucco Sculpture 'no.01/05'
Located in Holte, DK
“Revolve” – No. S6 in Blue (no. 01/05)
This is made in a limited edition of only 5 pieces + 1 AP
The five sculptures are made in five different col...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cast Stone
Multigame Set in Red Briar and Mahogany Casinò Passion by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Red briar and mahogany multigame, polished finish, leather handles. Contents: 36 cms mahogany roulette, rake, 365 poker chips, bosso chessmen, backgammon, poker dice...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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
Contemporary 'Cactus with Flower' Handmade Crystal Sculpture by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of handmade sculpture by Ghirò Studio.
'Cactus with flower' sculpture was made by hand working the crystal with extreme care and attention.
Each sculpture is unique...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Contemporary 'Gocce' Set of Three Sculptures Aquamarine Crystal by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Each crystal is exclusive and unique as it has been entirely hand-worked from a block of crystal. This makes it impossible to create two perfectly identical ones. Three natural blocks of crystal was used to make this set of decorative objects .
The crystal have been processed by hand until they obtain a perfectly smooth and luminous surface. The color of the crystal is aquamarine with high transparency.
They present a modern furnishing...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
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
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
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
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
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Set 2 Large Cube Tray in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trays in brass. The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
New Modern Vase in Nero and White Marbles, Creator Matteo Cibic Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Vase in black marquinia and white michelangelo marble,
Size: 38.2 x 23.4 x 7.3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Tacca, Homage Collection by the Italian Designer Matteo Cibic. M...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Nº 4 Contemporary Glazed Ceramic Pink Showtime Vase Collection by Jaime Hayon
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Showtime Vases are just as current as when we launched them over 10 years ago. They are little decorative sculptures that fully reproduce Jaime Hayon’s universe.
Made of two glazed ceramic pieces. Bi-coloured...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Trash Can, Czechoslovakia, circa 1980
Located in Praha, CZ
Original never used condition with original box.
Category
1980s Czech Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
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
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
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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