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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Period: Late 20th Century
Vintage Abstract Brass and Black Granite Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This tall fabulous vintage polished brass abstract sculpture has been put on a new black granite base. It is vintage from the 70s and has 2 interconnected abstract bodies. The brass ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Granite, Brass
Shops & Boutiques, Foreword by Giorgio Armani by Grant Camden Kirkkpatric AIA
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Shops & Boutiques. Foreword by Giorgio Armani. Grant Camden Kirkkpatric AIA.
Published by NY: PBC Interational, INC., (1994).
179 pages. Hardcover.
"Never before has the relations...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Paper
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
Set of 3 Murano Ducks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 3 vintage hand blown Murano glass ducks infused with gold flecks, with Swarovski crystal eyes / Made in Italy, circa 1980s
"Murano Glass" etc...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Stanley Szwarc Stainless Steel Rectangular Large Box Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous long and unusual rectangular box is polished satin stainless steel. The dimensions of the work on top have flower like bursts in Industrial and floral forms. It is not ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Black and White Marble Pyramid Obelisk Style Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A black, charcoal and white marble pyramid 'Obelisk style', circa 1970s, 20th century. Dimensions: 2.63" square base x 7.88" height.
Other items shown in images also available, search 1stDibs ref. #s:
Lucite & 1970s Pennies paperweight...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Silvered Bronze French Christian Maas Birkin Bag Sculpture & Art Limited Edition
By Christian Maas
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing sculpture by the well known French artist and sculptor, Christian Maas is a silvered bronze life-size rendering of the infamous Hermes Kelly Birkin bag. It was a limited edition of 100. It was done in 1990. It is titled the "Sac Kelly". The weight is extremely heavy and weighs excess of approximately 50 lbs. It is complete with engraved Cadena and incised troupe l'oeil special details. This rare and ultra chic piece of art and sculpture is a magnificent edition to any lover of Hermès and or contemporary Pop art sculpture collector. It is signed on the bottom as shown in the photos as Francis and D'Estaing which is the nom de plume of Christian Maas. His pseudonym is D'Estaing. That is how it was signed and intended by the sculptor. Since this was a limited edition of only 100, this makes it even more desirable and collectable. The talented sculptor was born in 1951 and is now deceased unfortunately. The height to the opening of what would be the top is 11.25" H. The height handle is below. There are no more being made from the cast mold...
Category
1990s French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
Gucci Desk Paperweight
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci desk paperweight from the 1980s, this elegant piece is based on an anthrazite metal base and an acrylic stand, attributed to Tom Ford.
Category
1990s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
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
Italian Red Burgundy Suede and Snakeskin Picture Frame, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A '70s Modern Italian red burgundy suede and snakeskin picture frame, circa 1970s, Italy. Frame can sit in two positions; vertical (as shown) or horizontal. Picture/image area: 4.5" ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Animal Skin, Suede
Vintage Maserati Eyeglasses Titanium Black
By Maserati
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Maserati eyeglasses titanium black.
Vintage glasses maserati angular shape circa 1980s
Glasses are delivered without a case.
Have an optici...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Wicker Cane and Acrylic Tissue Box Holder Cover in the style of Dior
Located in New York, NY
A wicker cane and acrylic tissue holder box in the style of Christian Dior Home. This acrylic and wicker cane box holds standard size tissues. Beautiful natural wicker cane and chic ...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cane, Acrylic, Wicker
Chris Buzzini Artist-Proof Orchid Flower and Roots Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine studio glass paperweight by Chris Buzzini.
With a lampwork orchid (including the roots).
With a signature cane to the reverse of the ro...
Category
1990s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Toni Zuccheri Murano Glass Paper Holder for VeArt, Italy, 1970s
By Toni Zuccheri, VeArt
Located in Milan, IT
Toni Zuccheri paper holder for VeArt, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Modern Desk Set of Pewter for Letters and Visit Cards by Jean Goardere
Located in Weiningen, CH
Modern desk set of pewter for letters and visit cards by Jean Goardere
Measures: 26 x 20 cm 5 cm
20 x 14 cm 3 cm
11 x 6 cm 3 cm.
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
Randall Grubb Flat Flower Bouquet Glass Paperweight with a Millefiori Garland
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, signed lampwork paperweight by Randall Grubb.
With a flat floral bouquet surrounded by a millefiori ring or garland.
With a G signat...
Category
1990s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
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
Silver Plated Equestrian Letter Opener, Italy, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver plated equestrian letter opener, Italy, 1980s.
This is a must-have on any gentleman collector's wish list.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Rene Dumas Lucite Sculptural Chess Players French Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
The designer of these amazing vintage French lucite modernist chess players from the 1970s are by Renee Dumas who is related to the Hermes family. They a...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Bronze Figurative Abstract Sculpture Signed French
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful cast bronze figurative French abstract sculpture is a single breast as the subject matter. It is signed and numbered 100. It has been professionally polished. Sorry th...
Category
1990s French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Catherine Noll Arched Silver Plate and Gradient Color Lucite Sculpture Vintage
By Catherine Noll
Located in North Miami, FL
This special tall lucite and silver plate elegant and organic arched sculpture was designed by Catherine Noll whose famous grandfather was Alexandre Noll. He was a well know sculptor who made fabulous sculptures out of carving simple wood. This sculpture which resembles a form of a horn was done in 1970. The arched form is lucite and the square base is silver plate. The lucite has gradients of gray tones as light hits it. It is organic modern with elegant lines. Catherine Noll was mainly a Parisian jewelry designer who started her illustrious design career back then. The materials she worked with in jewelry consisted of wood, ivory, Perspex and crystal. Catherine was in art school at the famous Beaux Arts when her noted and famous sculptor grandfather; Alexander Noll...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Aurelio Teno Signed Silvered Bronze, Enamel, Quartz and Marble Sculpture Vintage
By Aurelio Teno
Located in North Miami, FL
This Brutalist inspired signed Aurelio Teno sensational Spanish sculpture is a combination of silvered bronze, quartz, amethyst and painted enamel over the bronze. It sits on a marbl...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Quartz, Marble, Silver, Bronze, Enamel
Vintage Sterling Silver Letter Opener Torchon, Italy, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage sterling silver letter opener torchon, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Romeo Rega Signed Brass and Chrome-Plated Checkers Game, Italian Vintage
By Romeo Rega
Located in North Miami, FL
This ultra chic and modern signed Italian Romeo Rega vintage checkers game has sculptural components. It is great just even as a decorative object or ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tessellated Stone Boxes by Maitland Smith
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pair of modernist boxes were realized by the celebrated 20th century design firm Maitland Smith in the Philippines, circa 1980. They feature two cylindrical bodies- one ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Italian Silver and Black Wood Turner Letter Opener, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian silver and black wood turner letter opener.
Good vintage condition.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Agate Onyx and Brass Desk Pen Holder, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A '70s modern brass and onyx/agate desk pen holder. Onyx/agate is a red burgundy hue. Pen is in fine working order.
Picture frame and brass tape dispenser...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Agate, Onyx, Brass
Antonio Grediaga Kieff Bronze Abstract Sculpture Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This sensual and amazing small edition bronze sculpture is by the noted and prolific Canadian sculptor: Antonio Grediaga Kieff. It is abstract and ch...
Category
1980s Canadian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Acrylic Lucite Magazine Holder Stand, 1976
Located in New York, NY
A chic '70s Modern acrylic magazine holder rack stand, marked '1976' on side as shown in last image. Piece has three storage compartment areas ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite
Lucite Magazine Holder Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage two compartment lovely Lucite magazine holder is in very great condition. It is non obtrusive and can be placed anywhere. It is fro...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Vintage Brass Pyramid Triangle Tall Modernist Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This truly arresting vintage modernist brass pyramid sculpture has been professionally polished. It is in a combination of a tall pyramid and triangle form and has 7 random purposeful holes in the front of different sizes. It was so well made at the time. This is a most unusual sculpture...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Hermès Vintage Silver Plate Equestrian Paper Holder or Desk Accessory
By Hermès
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful vintage Hermès paper holder or letter clip is on the rare side. It is signed Hermès Paris and is polished silver plate. It was desig...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Pair of Rosewood and Inlaid Nickel "High Roller" Bookends
Located in Englewood, NJ
Super cool and large 21st century design sculptural carved rosewood and inlaid nickel wood "High Roller" dice bookends atop a nickel bases.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Nickel
Vintage Romeo Paris Copper and Gold Leaf Embedded Lucite Column Lamp, French
By Romeo Paris
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing and stunning thick walled French vintage lucite column lamp is attributed to the work of Romeo Paris. It has inclusions of floating copper and gold leaf elements in fractal form. It is tall, heavy and has separate lucite columns inside. This is a piece de resistance...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Copper, Gold Leaf
Bronze Paper Bag Signed Sculpture Limited Edition, French
By Use Honure
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing hallmarked French signed limited edition bronze paper bag sculpture is signed Use Honure 90 26/ 170. It is a limited edition. It has been professionally polished. There ...
Category
1990s French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Victor Zaikine Vintage Bronze Senusal Sculpture Titled Lovers Embrace
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing vintage sensual bronze vintage sculpture by Victor Zaikine is wonderful from every angle. The lovers embrace surrounding the bowl of life. ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Other
Vintage Signed Chrome, Brass, Black Resin Hinged Monumental Sculptural Box
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and sculptural monumental beautifully made Italian hinged heavy box is signed and stamped Linea Ble Roma. It is from the 20th century and is comprised of chrome, brass ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Vintage Bronze Architectural Sculptural Objects Desk Accessories Set of 3
Located in North Miami, FL
This set of 3 heavy bronze vintage architectural and sculptural desk elements and or objects are amazing. They are signed but not legible and are from the 1970s. They are a sophistic...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
1980s by Hermes Paris Silver Golf Ball Magnifying Lens
By Hermès
Located in Brescia, IT
Silver plated and glass magnifying
Excellent condition.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Rene Dumas Vintage Lucite Aubergine and Clear Sculptural Chess Players French
Located in North Miami, FL
The designer of these amazing vintage French Lucite modernist chess players from the 1970s are by Renee Dumas who is related to the Hermes family. They a...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Molini Clear and Black Lucite Column Table or Desk Lamp Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This handsome and modern square lucite lamp is clear in the center banded by a black lucite base and top. It has a polished steel column in the center that looks like it is floating. It is in excellent condition and makes for a sensational desk or table lamp. This vintage lamp was never ever used. It has the two socket pull chains and is completely rewired. It also has the graduating stem pole to make a little higher. All is original inclusive of the finial. It is 7" H from the top to the bottom of the light bulb socket. It was made by the NY showroom Molini Southard from the time period. It is from the 1980s. New, never used. This great lucite square column lamp...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Larry Mohr Abstract Elongated Angled Bronze Sculpture
By Larry Mohr
Located in North Miami, FL
Connected angles, connected points make up this elongated bronze abstract Larry Mohr tabletop sculpture that is signed. It is an abstract sculpture that may have reference to birds i...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Lucite Cube with Buffalo Indian Head Coins Desk Paperweight Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A Lucite cube, with Buffalo-Indian head nickel coins, desk paperweight or decorative object, circa late 20th century. Cube contains five 5-cent Buffalo Indian head coins...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Paul Stankard Faceted Art Glass Paperweight with Lampwork Forget-Me-Not Flowers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Paul Stankard glass faceted paperweight.
With lampwork forget-me-not flowers in blues and yellows with green stems and leaves.
Bearing...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Vintage Rare Silver Letter Opener Italian Army, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare Italian silver letter opener with the medallion with the eagle emblem of the Italian army and the engraved signature of Capo di Stato Maggiore. Made in Italy. A unique additio...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Victor Vasarely Op Art Graphic Lucite Cube Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful angled Victor Vasarely op art Lucite sculpture is different color patterns and graphics on all four sides. It creates an optical ...
Category
1970s Hungarian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
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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