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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Wooden Christmas Tree Set – Brass-Tipped Brown Cedar, Medium Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The brass-tipped solid cedar minimalist Christmas tree is designed to add a sophisticated touch to your holiday theme. Inspired by the natural forms of Cedar, Fir, and Juniper trees,...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Set CEDAR – Cedar
Located in Orlando, FL
The handcrafted solid cedar Christmas tree set is designed to complete your holiday theme with a warm and natural atmosphere. Inspired by the natural structure of cedar wood, the abs...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Set CEDAR – Cedar
Located in Orlando, FL
The handcrafted solid cedar Christmas tree set is designed to complete your holiday theme with a warm and natural atmosphere. Inspired by the natural structure of cedar wood, the abs...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Set FIR – Cedar
Located in Orlando, FL
The natural cedar minimalist Christmas trees are unique decorative pieces that blend the natural beauty of the fir tree with a modern design. This luxurious handcrafted solid cedar t...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Set JUNIPER – Cedar
Located in Orlando, FL
The JUNIPER decorative solid handmade Christmas tree set adds warmth to your holiday theme with its minimalist and natural design. Inspired by the aesthetic form of the juniper tree,...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Set, Duo CEDAR – Cedar with Brass Tip
Located in Orlando, FL
The gold-accented natural cedar Christmas tree is a unique decorative piece inspired by the natural texture of cedar wood. Completed with brass tip details, these natural holiday tre...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Black marble carved large Bowl
Located in Mexico City, MX
Bowl in carved Monterrey black marble. Handmade in Mexico by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 additi...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Handcrafted Letter Opener with Saharan Fossil - Orthoceras and Polished Brass
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
From the Sahara to your desk: this handcrafted letter opener is embellished with an authentic Orthoceras fossil shell with a compact, elliptical shape, smooth surface, and unrepeatab...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Brass
Letter Opener with Curved Conical Shell on Rocky Base Fossiline Collection
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
An elegant desk letter opener with a handle made from an authentic fossil of Orthoceras - Saharan Nautiloid over 360 million years old.
The conical shell, slightly curved and lying ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Brass
Paperweight with Authentic Ammonite - Elegant and Unique Design
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Add a touch of history and sophistication to your desk with this unique paperweight with authentic ammonite, a one-of-a-kind piece that combines natural charm with modern design. Amm...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Wooden Christmas Tree Set, Duo JUNIPER – Cedar with Brass Tip
Located in Orlando, FL
The gold-tipped solid cedar decorative Christmas tree is designed to complete your holiday theme with simplicity and elegance. Inspired by the natural form of the juniper tree and re...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Desk Set with Fossil Ammonite - Uniqueness and History: A Timeless Gift
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Lens and Letter Opener Set: Uniqueness and History, A Timeless Gift
The combination of the modernity of the design and the antiquity of the ammonites makes this set a one-of-a-kind "...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Brass
Wooden Christmas Tree Set, Duo JUNIPER – Cedar with Brass Tip
Located in Orlando, FL
The gold-tipped solid cedar decorative Christmas tree is designed to complete your holiday theme with simplicity and elegance. Inspired by the natural form of the juniper tree and re...
Category
2010s Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Set – Brass-Tipped Cedar, Large Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The modern and elegant solid cedar Christmas tree set offers an aesthetic and functional choice for your holiday décor. Inspired by the natural forms of Cedar, Fir, and Juniper, this...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
FERMACHE WITH AMMONITE real fossil from the rounded Paleozoic Era biege #1
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
An authentic ammonite with a round shape and elegant biege color shades that become clearer toward the center, revives today in a elegant paperweight, unique and unrepeatable.
The ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Wooden Christmas Tree CEDAR – Cedar with Bronze Tip, Large Size
Located in Orlando, FL
Decorative, minimalist solid cedar trees bring both a natural and modern aesthetic to your holiday theme. Inspired by the graceful form of the fir tree, these Christmas décor pieces ...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree CEDAR – Cedar with Bronze Tip, Large Size
Located in Orlando, FL
Decorative, minimalist solid cedar trees bring both a natural and modern aesthetic to your holiday theme. Inspired by the graceful form of the fir tree, these Christmas décor pieces ...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree FIR – Cedar with Bronze Tip, Large Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The luxury bronze-tipped Christmas tree features an elegant design that brings the festive spirit into your living spaces. Inspired by the iconic form of the fir tree and reinterpret...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree FIR – Cedar with Bronze Tip, Large Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The luxury bronze-tipped Christmas tree features an elegant design that brings the festive spirit into your living spaces. Inspired by the iconic form of the fir tree and reinterpret...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Set – Cedar with Bronze Tip, Medium Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The luxury bronze-tipped Christmas tree is designed to complete your holiday décor with natural elegance. Inspired by the aesthetic forms of three distinct trees—Cedar, Fir, and Juni...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree JUNIPER – Cedar with Bronze Tip, Large Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The JUNIPER Wooden Christmas Tree, in its large size, is a handcrafted statement piece designed to bring natural elegance to your holiday décor. Inspired by the stylized silhouette o...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree JUNIPER – Cedar with Bronze Tip, Large Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The JUNIPER Wooden Christmas Tree, in its large size, is a handcrafted statement piece designed to bring natural elegance to your holiday décor. Inspired by the stylized silhouette o...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
FERMACHE WITH TRILOBITE real fossil of the Paleozoic Era to admire and use #1
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
On a polished metal base lies a magnificent fossil of authentic trilobite that appears to be resting on top of a rock. Today, this exceptional marine organism lived millions of y...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Brass
Wooden Christmas Tree Set, Duo CEDAR – Cedar with Bronze Tip
Located in Orlando, FL
The bronze-tipped decorative solid cedar Christmas tree is designed to blend the unique texture and form of natural cedar wood with the warmth of the holiday season. Each tree is one...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Set, Duo FIR – Cedar with Bronze Tip
Located in Orlando, FL
The bronze-tipped solid cedar Christmas tree set is inspired by the graceful form of the fir tree and specially crafted to bring the festive spirit into your living spaces. Featuring...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Mega FIR – Cedar, 62 cm
Located in Orlando, FL
The solid cedar Christmas tree is made entirely from natural cedar wood and adds an elegant touch to your holiday decor with its minimalist design. Inspired by the form of the fir tr...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Oak
Wooden Christmas Tree Mega FIR – Cedar, 62 cm
Located in Orlando, FL
The solid cedar Christmas tree is made entirely from natural cedar wood and adds an elegant touch to your holiday decor with its minimalist design. Inspired by the form of the fir tr...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Oak
MODERN DESIGN PAPER CUTTER authentic handle ammonite Orthoceras Nautiloides
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
A slightly curved conical shell lying on a layer of rock becomes the unique handle of the letter opener, a must-have desk accessory.
Designed by Nino Basso, designer of the Fossilin...
Category
2010s Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
FERMACHE WITH AMMONITE - real fossil of the Paleozoic Era rounded biege #3
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
An authentic ammonite with a round shape and elegant biege color shades that become lighter toward the center, revives in an elegant unique and unrepeatable paperweight.
The uniqu...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern 3 Piece Dresser Cologne Bottle Set
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 3 piece set of dresser bottles with silver tops from Czechoslovakia c.1960. In excellent condition with minimal wear, unpolished. Sold and pri...
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Magnifying glass ammonite handle real fossil shell one piece
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
An amazing authentic fossil ammonite, evidence of forms lived millions of years ago and preserved over time, it becomes the handle of this unique and unrepeatable magnifying glass...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Brass
Emerald Green Shagreen Leather Letter Opener and Ruler Set - Galucharme
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your desk with our exclusive Galucharme letter opener and ruler set. This luxury set features a handle made of genuine shagreen leather,...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
FERMACHE WITH TRILOBITE real fossil of the Paleozoic Era to admire and use #2
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
On a basis in polished metal lies a magnificent fossil of genuine trilobite that seems to rest on top of a rock. Today, this exceptional marine organism lived millions of years ago...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Brass
MODERN DESIGN PAPER CUTTERS authentic ammonite handle Orthoceras Nautiloiudi
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
A slightly curved conical shell lying on a layer of rock becomes the unique handle of the letter opener, a must-have desk accessory.
Designed by Nino Basso, the designer of the Fossi...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
FERMACHE WITH AMMONITE - real fossil of the Paleozoic Era rounded biege #2
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
A genuine ammonite with rounded shape and elegant biege color shades that become clearer toward the center, revives today in an elegant unique and unrepeatable paperweight.
The ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
FERMACARTE WITH AMMONITE contemporary design with authentic fossil shell #2
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Thought of as paperweight for an eclectic desk or bookcase shelf, this delightful little unique sculpture transcends functionality to also be an exclusive and unique piece of fur...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
FERMACARTE WITH AMMONITE contemporary design with authentic fossil shell #1
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Thought of as paperweight for an eclectic desk or bookcase shelf, this delightful small and unique sculpture, exceeds functionality to be also a piece of furniture exclusive and...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Bymyside Desk Accessories by Rectangle Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Bymyside desk accessories by Rectangle Studio
Dimensions: W 25 x D 2 x H 48 cm
Materials: Black marble
Bymyside desk is a complementary design accessory that is manually shaped...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Coral Pink Shagreen Leather Pen Holder - Elegant and Refined Design
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Coral Pink Shagreen Leather Pen Holder - Elegant and Refined Design
Add a touch of elegance to your desk with this unique designer pen holder, perfect for decorating in style or as a...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Oval Green Marble Incense Plate by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Guatemala Incense Plate by Henry Wilson
Dimensions: D 28 x H 4 cm
Materials: Green Guatemala Marble
The Incense plate is carved from solid Green G...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Knotted Vide Poche Set of 2 Mink Desk Home Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Description: Tray set of 2
Color: Mink
Size of big tray: 20 x 20 x 3 H cm
Size of small tray: 15 x 15 x 3 H cm
Material: Leather
Collection: Knotted.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Sculptural Desktop Pen Holder by Jiri Jelinek
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Art glass hand-carved, pen holder / paper weight featuring etched linear motif and layered red glass stripe by Jiri Jelinek.
Jiri Jelinek (b. 1967, Cze...
Category
2010s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Contemporay Light BeigeTravertine Incense Plate by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Classico Travertine Incense Plate by Henry Wilson
Dimensions: D 28 x H 4 cm
Materials: Travertine
The incense plate is carved from solid green Guatemala...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Menhir Black Marble Carved Bookend
By Casa Mineral
Located in Mexico City, MX
Bookend in carved Monterrey black marble. Handmade in Mexico. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 additional business d...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Shagreen Galuchat Design Leather Paperweight - GALUCHARME Collection
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Add a touch of elegance to your desk with this unique paperweight made of shagreen galuchat leather, a fine and exquisite material known for its uniq...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Talon Desk Tidy by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Talon desk tidy by Madheke.
Dimensions: D 15 x W 26 x H 1.5 cm.
Materials: Leather, carbon fiber.
Upturned carbon fibre base with embossed leather inset. A desk should not be a ...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Carbon Fiber
Modernist, Sterling Silver Rocker Blotter, Amethyst Crystal, Peter Casswell
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1972 by Peter Casswell, this handsome, Modernist design Sterling Silver Rocker Blotter, is plain in style, and features an u...
Category
1970s English Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Elegant Desk Set In Glossy Lacquer - The Lacquers Collection
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Add a touch of sophistication to your workstation with this exclusive desk set with a contemporary design by Nino Basso, part of the prestigious LE LACCHE Collection.
The set includ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Set of 2 Aluminum Taper Pen Stands by Stem Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Aluminum Taper Pen Stands by Stem Design
Dimensions: D 8 x W 10 x H 11 cm (each.)
Materials: Aluminum.
Finish: Tumbled and burnished
Weight: 0,5 kg (each.)
Finished and as...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Set of 2 Brass Luna Paper Weights by Stem Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Brass Luna Paper Weights by Stem Design
Dimensions: Ø 8 x H 3 cm.
Materials: Brass.
Finish: Tumbled and burnished.
Weight: 0,5 kg (each.)
Finished and assembled by hand in India. Also available in aluminum. Please contact us.
Sand-cast in solid metal, the Luna paperweight is a minimal object with a
strong character. Surface pitting and production marks developed through the
casting process are left untreated to retain the material’s richness, to allow for a more profound interaction. Luna has a timeless ornamental quality that is both decorative and functional.
The objects layers on as a metaphor and showcases the beauty of being who you are. It strips off all the layers of ornamentation and artificial finishes to build an immediate and intuitive connection with the product that lasts a lifetime.
Stem is a contemporary Indian product...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
GIADA TABLE PHOTO FRAME - contemporary design for home office furniture
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
The refined design with lacquered details in tone jade transform this table frame in an eccentric design piece: for enrich the office in tune with the other accessories for ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
SET DA SCRIVANIA GIADA portapenne orologio tagliacarte lente design moderno
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Raffinato ed esclusivo set da scrivania con seducenti superfici arrotondate e laccate color giada abbinate a particolari rigati .
Disegnato da Nino Basso, il set si compone ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Set of 2 Brass Taper Pen Stands by Stem Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Brass Taper Pen Stands by Stem Design
Dimensions: D 8 x W 10 x H 11 cm (each.)
Materials: Brass.
Finish: Tumbled and burnished.
Weight: 1,4 kg (each.)
Finished and assembl...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
GIADA modern style writing desk set: pen holder clock-paperweight paper cutter
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
The Line soft and rounded elegant and always current is matched to the bright laccato color giada and to the striped details with a glossy finish.
Eccentric set of desk accesso...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Desk Set of Natural Stone Black Slate Minimalist Design Handmade in Spain Meddel
By Joaquín Moll, Meddel
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Desk Set of Natural Stone Black Slate Minimalist Design Handmade in Spain Meddel
Add a touch of sophistication and style to your office with our black slate screen rest, crafted from...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Slate
Horn 1 Sculpture by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Horn 1 sculpture by Fakasaka Design
Dimensions: W 8 cm D 6 cm H 7 cm
Materials: polished bronze.
Horn 1
Paper weight / sculpture
FAKASAKA is a de...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
SET SCRIVANIA LACCATO AVANA portapenne orologio tagliacarte design moderno
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Elegante set di accessori per la scrivania impreziositi dalla laccatura con una calda tonalità melange.
Il design contemporaneo esclusivo, i toni arancio dorato chiari e scur...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Modern desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Ghidini 1961, Danese Milano, Enzo Mari, and AIREDELSUR. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $15 and tops out at $57,800 while the average work can sell for $499.