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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
Charoite Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful, substantial and rare natural purple charoite jewelry box, circa late-20th century. Charoite is rare mineral. A beautiful organic pattern graces this charoite stone;...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Chrome

René Lalique Cup with Foot "Dampierre"
Located in Madrid, ES
René Lalique Cup with foot "Dampierre", in French crystal from the 20th century, molded and relieved, signed 'Lalique, France'. Dimensions: 12.5 x 12 cm.
Category

20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Emilio Pucci & Hans Theo Baumann Porcelain Cig Vessel for Rosenthal Studio-Line
Located in New York, NY
A small and beautiful Hans Theo Baumann and Emilio Pucci designed porcelain vessel for Rosenthal 'Studio-Linie', Berlin, circa late 20th century, Germany. Piece is a glazed white por...
Category

Late 20th Century German Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Italian Photo Frame Silver Handmade , Harmony Turquoise
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Harmony turquoise is an Arts & Crafts square silver picture frame designed by Laura G for Art with Heart. It is a wonderful lost wax bronze silver plated model hand chiselled by mast...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Round Coasters set in black marble
Located in Mexico City, MX
Set of four round coasters in Monterrey black marble. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-1...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Wooden Christmas Tree FIR – Cedar with Brass Tip, Large Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The solid cedar minimalist Christmas decoration tree is designed to add an elegant touch to your holiday setup. Inspired by the aesthetic form of the f...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Desk Set stripes enamel Fountain pen, Ballpoint pen and Tray.Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular tray with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels with two-tone stripes on guilloche and hand engravings, cm. 9.5 x 18. For fountain pe...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Salta Round Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
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

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Wooden Christmas Tree Set, Duo FIR – 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

Rare MC2 Fleming Hermes Wallet / Mississippiensis Alligator
Located in Munich, DE
Nice hermes wallet in wonderful burgundy alligator leather.
Category

1990s French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Alligator

Set of 3 Trays. From The Tempera series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Set of 3 Trays, 2023 From The Tempera series Material: Duck egg yolk, binder Overall size: 19.5 Diameter x 15 H (cm) Individual Dimensions: 19.5 Diameter x 5 H (cm) Weight: avg. 1kg Every piece is hand-made, color and measurement may slightly vary. Colors: Black and Ivory Production time is 5 weeks. Tempera series Candle Holder...
Category

2010s North Korean Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Shell

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

Watch Box for Nine Watches in Polished Black with Suede and Leather
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

Cuyo Medium Alpaca Silver & Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Geometric Sculpture in Polished Black Pearl Resin by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. This sculpture is very versatile and fun! You can ...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Leather Tray, Large A Square Tray - Handmade - Color: Saffron
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For various purposes, the Monochrome Collection Trays can be used individually or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so feel free to get creative an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade Pink Flamingo 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

Genuine Fossil Ammonite Pen Holder with Nickel-plated Metal Detail
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
An extraordinary object that combines nature and design: this unique pen holder is the result of the union of a real fossil ammonite from the Sahara, belonging to the Goniatite famil...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Brass

Salta Round Blue Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
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

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Vintage Greek Lalaounis Sterling Silver Figural Scallop Sea Shell Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed Greek silver paperweight. By Lalounis. In sterling silver. In the form of a scallop or cockle sea shell. Marked to the base. Simply a wonderful Lalaounis shell...
Category

20th Century Greek Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Signed Italian Silver Mounted Pietra Dura Paperweight with Flower by G. Fiaschi
By Richard Blow, Giuseppe Fiaschi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed Italian pietra dura paperweight. By Giuseppe Fiaschi. With handcut marble polychrome marble specimens inlaid on a stepped black...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Silver

Emerald Green Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. Our Semi Sphere is a very cool and f...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Tiffany & Co. 1981 Angela Cummings Aerodynamic Twisted Pen .925 Sterling Silver
By Angela Cummings, Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural twisted pen designed by Angela Cummings. Sculptural pen, created back in the 1981 in New York city at the Tiffany Studios. This fabulous sculpt...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Decor Tray Set - Set of 4 decorative trays in different colors - Handmade
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Decor Tray Set - Set of 4 trays in different colors Include: - 1 (one) Leather Tray, Small Square Tray - Color: Vanilla Dimensions: Height: 1.78 in (4,5...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Aurelio Teno Signed Silvered Bronze, Enamel, Quartz and Marble Sculpture Vintage
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

Male and Female Sculpture, circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
A vintage midcentury reproduction of a figurative male and female 'embracing' sculpture on black marble base, 1963, New York, New York. Sculpture has maker's mark on side and on bott...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Composition, Marble

Mahjong Game Board in Black Polished Ebony Passione Di Gioco
Located in New York, NY
Ebony polished mahjong with ruthenium brass parts.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ebony

Italian Modern Dark Green Marble Obelisk Sculpture, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
An Italian '70s modern or Post-Modern period dark green marble obelisk sculpture, circa 1970s, Italy. Obelisk is green with white veining. Very go...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Caithness Glass Paperweight Elixir No. 189/500, Scotland Circa 1980s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a glass paperweight named "Elixir", limited edition 189/500, by Caithness Glass, Scotland, made after 1970 in the last quarter of the 20th Century. This is a very attractiv...
Category

20th Century Scottish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Decorative Clear Acrylic Chain Link by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Handmade acrylic horseshoe-shaped links are looped together to form a beautiful modern chain. Its translucent and clear color give a bold yet neutral touch to any space, from the most classic to the most modern. Whether layered into entryway vignettes or styled atop the coffee table, the Chain Link adds interest and depth to your styling. Material: Acrylic Care: Carefully dust with feather duster...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Acrylic

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

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) o...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Animal Skin, Suede

Daniel Salazar Lundberg Studios Cherry Blossom Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Lundberg Studios paperweight by Daniel Salazar. With a lampwork cherry blossom and 3 small cherry flower buds on a branch. Bearing a Lundbe...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Renzo Set Concrete Tray Made In Italy White&Light Blue Cement Christmas Edition
Located in Rome, Lazio
Now available in Christmas Edition! Renzo Line is a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in different color compositions. Eac...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Concrete

Italian modern red rings for the perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, 2020s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern red rings for the perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, 2020s Set of 3 round rings for the perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, in bordeaux red plastic. The ring ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Ghidini 1961 Medium Rabbit in Polished Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Decorative object medium in brass "The rabbit is the latest iconic object I have designed. For Ghidini it has turned into a family of precious metal objects: salt and pepper, paper...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Portuguese Telephone Exchange PBX from the 50s/60s
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Telephone exchange, PBX from the 50s/60s. Manual telephone system used to interconnect several lines in a company or organisation. With a wooden ca...
Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Ghidini 1961 Knotted Cherry Medium Box in Brass by Nika Zupanc
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Fiasco. Guilt. Fear of love. A place to hide all the things we secretly desire yet are too scared to utter. The luscious things the perfect lover knows are never to be told. She drea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Glass Lemon in Pink
Located in Richmond, VA
Casted glass lemon in pink by Devon made glass fruit inspired by blown glass fruit makers and collectors from the 1960's. The light playful approach to everyday fruit is contrasted w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Aqua and Clear Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. Our Semi Sphere is a very cool and fun...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Daniel Salazar Lundberg Studios Art Glass White Gardenia Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Lundberg Studios paperweight by Daniel Salazar. By Daniel Salazar for Lundberg Studios. With a white lampwork gardenia with three green leaves ...
Category

1990s American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beatiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, moustly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One ...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Firmamento Milano Pillola Table Lamp by Parisotto and Formenton Architetti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Please note that VAT is not included in the price. Elegant interior lamp designed as an essential element that creates an evocative light of great comfort. A matte ball of simple and pure form, cut in two perfect halves that diffuse reflected and discreet light. The project line is the essentiality that shapes both the aesthetics and the lighting effect. The light is spread from inside the ball, reflected on the inner shell of the dome and spread on the surface of the table on which it is placed. Designed for the living, its light gives a great atmosphere to the home. The unit features a dimmer enabling custom quality and intensity light. Aldo Parisotto and Massimo Formenton graduated in architecture from the IUAV of Venice. In 1990 they founded their own design firm P+F Parisotto+Formenton Architetti. Their research is oriented towards a range of different design themes, through which they have developed wide experience on both the national and international levels. In the design field they developed a collaboration with leading furniture and lighting companies such as cc-tapis, FontanaArte, Mingardo, Minotti Cucine. In the yacht sector the studio worked for Sanlorenzo, Cantiere del Pardo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Black Marble Arched Platter Medium
Located in Eindhoven, NB
This multi-use arched black marble platter with natural veining makes a sophisticated presentation of appetizers, cheese, breads and crackers. Thi...
Category

2010s 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

Enzo Mari, Rare Cube Resin with Black Ball Sphere, Sculpture/Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice modern resin cube by the very well known designer Enzo Mari, Measures in cm 7 x 7 x 7.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Hermès blue leather pencil case 1990s
Located in Paris, IDF
This blue Hermès pen case from the 1990s is an elegant and functional piece. Made from Epsom calfskin, a leather embossed through heat printing, it features...
Category

1990s French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Onyx, Metal

Orange Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. Our Se...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Daum French Crystal Riviera Coupe Car
Located in New York, NY
Daum French Crystal Riviera Coupe Car. Highly detailed large glass depiction of a classic car with frosted tires and engine. Designed by Xavier F...
Category

20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Claude Victor Boeltz Gilt Bronze Letter Opener, circa 1970, France.
Located in Brussels, BE
Beautiful Claude Victor Boeltz Letter Opener , circa 1970, France. Gilt exploded bronze, metal blade. Dimensions: 24 cm W, 5 cm H, 7 cm D. Boeltz’s "exploded-bronze" pieces, made fam...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Set Tronador Large Mini Boxes, Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Onyx

Trio of Lucite Sculptures Signed & Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic trio of Lucite sculptures with geometric shapes designed and manufactured by a Los Angeles artist and signed "Henry" 2017. The pieces are beautifully executed, the inlaid ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Silver Magnifying Glass with a Feather Handle Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very nice silver magnifying glass with a feather handle, which could be used for opening letters as well. The magnification is good and works well. A compliment to any desk or work...
Category

20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Polished Briarwood and Mahogany Jewel Box with Gold-Plated Hardware
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

Vintage Must de Cartier crystal inkwell
Located in NEWARK, GB
A fine vintage Must de Cartier crystal inkwell. It is a melon shaped inkwell with a chunky ribbed crystal body, reflecting the light beautifully, the ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

Contemporary Picture Frame Handmade Blue Crystal, Brass and Gold by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Crystal photo frame of excellent craftsmanship and artistic quality. The crystal has been hand sculpted and has an intense and brilliant blue fi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Brass

Marble Circles by Kristina Dam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble circles by Kristina Dam Studio. Materials: Black marble Dimensions: 21 x 30 x H 21cm. Two unbroken circles make this stunning changeabl...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Ghidini 1961 Omini Tape Mate in Polished Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Scotch 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 monolithic objects from geometric and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Art Glass Millefiori Collectable Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Millefiori Italian art glass paperweight Beautiful glass art paperweight in millefiori design in various shades of blues, red and white, accenting the close concentric complex. Mur...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

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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