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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Contemporary Glazed Ceramic Explorer Vase No.2, white red green, by Jaime Hayon
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
The shapely forms of the pieces in the Explorer Collection, have been condensed into these vases. They are objects that are part of my cosmos, taken from my drawings. The materialisa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Talon A4 Desk Tray by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Talon A4 desk tray by Madheke
Dimensions: D 25 x W 33.7 x H 1.5 cm.
Materials: Leather, carbon fiber.
A desk should not be a place of disarray and clutter, with the TALON A4 Tra...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Carbon Fiber
M33 Vessel by Aysun Ay
Located in Geneve, CH
M33 Vessel by Aysun Ay
Dimensions: D15 X H27
Materials: Stoneware Ceramic
Sculptural pieces can vary slightly as each is a unique piece of art.
Improvisational design made by hand.
...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Large Modern Spinning Sculpture in Turquoise Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This modern geometric sculptures will add a touch of color to any space, you can place them on top of books on your coffee table or even as a centerpiece. The possibilities are endle...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Contemporary Glazed Ceramic Yellow Showtime Vase by Jaime Hayon Spanish design
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 Hayon’s universe.
Made of two glazed ce...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
Dimensions: W 25 x D 5 x H 10 cm
Materials: Bronze
The stack trays are sold in a set of three that can be used tog...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Brass Anchor Paperweight
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful brass anchor paperweight
Circa 1980s
Measures: 9"W x 5.75"D x 7"H.
Very good original vintage condition.
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Vintage Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Fountain Pen with Papers & Boxes
By Montblanc
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This fountain pen was made by the well known Montblanc factory of Germany in approximately 1990 in their classic modern style. This fountain pen is their 'Meisterstuck' model and has...
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Stainless Steel
Knotted Vide Poche Set of 2 Mink André Fu Living Desk Office Home Accessories
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
Editioned Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate, 2012
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 2012 and features an angle blowing the calendar pieces. The p...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Knotted Vide Poche Set of 2 Purple André Fu Living Desk Office Home Accessories
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Description: Tray set of 2
Color: Purple
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
Peach Bookend Mould Project by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
Peach bookend mould project by Theodora Alfredsdottir.
Unique
Materials: Jesmonite
Dimensions: 110 x 80 x 180mm.
Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product design studio based in Lond...
Category
2010s English Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cement
Small Modern Spinning Sculpture in Turquoise Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This modern geometric sculptures will add a touch of color to any space, you can place them on top of books on your coffee table or even as a centerpiece. The possibilities are endle...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Antique Brass-Plated Desk, Pols Potten Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Antique brass-plated desk, Pols Potten Studio.
Dimensions: W 120.5 x D 51 x H 75.5 cm.
Materials: Black powder-coated iron frame, aluminum, antique brass-plated top.
Pols Pott...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Iron, Aluminum
Modern Lucite Desk Organizer by Guzzini
By Guzzini
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional modern lucite desk organizer by Guzzini of Italy, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 5.75"W x 2"D x 3....
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
Editioned Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate, 2013
By Fornasetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Italian decorative porcelain plate designed and made by Fornasetti. The commemorative plate is for the year of 2013. The plate was made in a limited edition of 92 out of 70...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Mould for Bookend by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
Mould for bookend by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Unique piece
Materials: MDF
Dimensions: 19 x 22 x 10 cm
Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product design studio based in London.
Theodor...
Category
2010s English Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Set of 12 Italian Crystal Cups 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
12 Italian cups serving
of the 20th century in cut crystal, with base and base in silver metal, relieved decoration alluding to the God Bacchus.
Brand na...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
René Lalique Cup with Foot "Dampierre"
By René Lalique
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
Renzo Set Concrete Tray Made In Italy White&Red 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. Each...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Concrete
Vintage Bronze Modernist Sculpture Brancusi Style on Round Brass Base
Located in North Miami, FL
Offering for you is a vintage cast bronze modernist sculpture that is Brancusi style meets Jean Arp. It is signed but not legible.This is from the 70's. It was polished to the best i...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Bronze
René Lalique "Serpentine" Fruit Bowl 20th Century
By René Lalique
Located in Madrid, ES
Rene Lalique
" Serpentine "
French fruit bowl from the 20th Century,
molded and relieved glass in burgundy tones.
Marked.
Dimensions: 8 x 38 ...
Category
20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Watch Box for Five Watches in Smoke Grey Oak, Red Ultrasuede Detail by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box in polished wood for five watches lined in protective ultrasuede. Hinge in Ruthenium. Box only: watches are not included.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Blackened Tape Dispenser by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Blackened Tape Dispenser by Henry Wilson
Dimensions: W 14 x D 4 x H 7 cm
Materials: Bronze (Blackened)
The bronze tape dispenser is a hefty piece of st...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Unique Custom Panes Vase by Kim Thome
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Panes vase by Kim Thome
Dimensions: Custom
Materials: glass, epoxy resin
Kim Thomé is a Norwegian designer based in London.
Category
2010s British Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Epoxy Resin
Contemporary 'Eye' Sculpture Amber D:40cm Glass, Brass and Gold by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2023 Colletion of decorative objects by Ghirò Studio (Italy,Milan).
The 'Eye' is not only a luxury refined piece of furniture but it is also a hand carved sculpture designed to em...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Gold, Brass
Kartell I Shine Vase in Crystal by Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
CAITHNESS - High Seas - Blue Swirl Glass Paperweight - U.K. - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
CAITHNESS (Manufacturer) - High Seas (Collection) - H87830 (Identification Number) - Vintage art glass paperweight - striking design - si...
Category
Late 20th Century Scottish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
RYBKA - Vintage Carved Studio Glass Paperweight - Signed - Circa 2003
Located in Chatham, ON
RYBKA - Vintage carved studio glass paperweight with inclusions - artist signed and dated - circa 2003.
Excellent vintage condition - no loss - no damage - no restoration - minor ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Renzo Set Concrete Tray Made in Italy Green&Brown 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
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
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
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
Ghidini 1961 Knotted Cherry Small Box in Copper-Plated 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
Copper
Unique Custom Reeded Panes Vase by Kim Thome
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique panes vase by Kim Thome
Dimensions: Custom
Materials: Glass, epoxy resin
Kim Thomé is a Norwegian designer based in London.
Category
2010s British Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Epoxy Resin
Aluminum Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Aluminum Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
Dimensions: W 25 x D 5 x H 10 cm
Materials: Aluminum
The stack trays are sold in a set of three that can be used...
Category
2010s Australian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Handmade Italia Lava Stone REGO Laptop Holder 2023
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lava stone Règo is a little jewel that adds a new experience when using a notebook combined with an external display, ideal for saving space and creating a clean and tidy environment...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lava
Contemporary 'Eye' Sculpture Fuchsia Glass, Brass and 24 Kt Gold by Ghiro Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2023 Colletion of decorative objects by Ghiro Studio (Italy,Milan).
The 'Eye' is not only a luxury refined piece of furniture but it is also a hand carved sculpture designed to embe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Brass
Brass Starfish Sculpture / Paperweight
By Art Brass Co.
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A nicely cast starfish paperweight, sculpture or hanging sculpture since it has a hook to the backside. Well made and can be used in the office or as a decorative accessory, made in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Korean Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Kartell U Shine Vase in Smoke by Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
To-Go Business Card Holder in Stainless Steel Mirror Finish by Georg Jensen
Located in New York, NY
Sleek and elegant yet highly functional and easy to use, this card holder is the perfect accessory for the modern lifestyle on the go.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Renzo Set Concrete Tray Made in Italy Brown&Green 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
New Modern Vase in marble, creator Matteo Cibic
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
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
Renzo Trays + Vertebra Concrete Candleholder 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. E...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Concrete
“Revolve” No.S3 'made to order' - Contemporary Handmade Stucco Sculpture
Located in Holte, DK
“Revolve” – No. S3
This is made in a limited edition of only 5 pieces + 1 AP
The five sculptures are made in five different colors, making them all tru...
Category
2010s Danish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cast Stone
Ghidini 1961 Omini Tape Mate in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scotch holder in brass. Ideal for keeping adhesive tape close at hand.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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, Czechoslovakia) graduated with ...
Category
2010s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
New Modern Vase in red and white Marble, creator Cibic
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
small vase in red Levanto and white Michelangelo Marble.
Size: 16.3 x 4 x 10.6 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Arturo, Homage collection by the Italian Designer Matteo Cibic.
Made in Italy, hand finished.
This is not a vase but a card holder. Or perhaps a pen holder. Or maybe it is a vase, but with a mouth and ears. The important thing is understanding that one can be mistaken but still smile; like Cibic’s creations, which never renounce anthropomorphism and good cheer...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Tangerine Resin by Paola Valle
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
Art Glass Jellyfish Sculpture Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial transparent/clear and shades of blue art glass jellyfish sculpture decorative object, circa late-20th century to early ...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Karl Springer Rare Adjustable Magnifying Lens in Polished Chrome 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Rare adjustable magnifying lens with beautifully crafted mount in polished chrome by Karl Springer, American 1980's.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Enzo Mari, Rare Cube Resin with Black Ball Sphere, Sculpture/Paperweight
By Enzo Mari
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
Turner Card and Pen Holder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Turner card and pen holder by Fakasaka Design
Dimensions: W 26.5 cm D 10.5 cm H 8 cm
Materials: black/brown bronze.
FAKASAKA is a design company focuse...
Category
2010s Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Carrara Home Design Desk Table Lamp in White Carrara Marble
Located in Carrara, MS
Defined by a balanced cylindrical silhouette, this modern table lamp is expertly handcrafted in Calacatta marble with a matte finish.
The piece is completed with an extra large LE...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Carrara Marble
"Astuccio" Leather Case Designed by Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Astuccio" is a leather case, designed and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the available range: tan, si...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
"Carlo" Riveted Leather Wastepaper Bin by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Carlo" is a riveted leather wastepaper bin, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be chosen from the available range: tan, sienna, orange, red, red-purple, dark brown, khaki, blue, black.
DIMENSIONS:
D. 10.2", W. 10.2", H. 13.3"
The leather is doubled to obtain greater thickness and a color contrast between inner and outer surfaces; it's then folded and held together by metal rivets: the object has taken shape.
Leather, robust and soft, which maturates over time like wood, wine, brandy and cheese, is a material suitable for a living relationship with people and things it has to do with: it absorbs their scent and gives its own. It protects, gathers and changes shape, as it retains something of the life it once had.
Past experiences in working with leather, with objects of common use transformed into their own form by the material of which they were made (baskets, boxes, trays, writing-desk items, small pieces of furniture, in addition to bags and cases, of course) have led Oscar Maschera to today’s production which has exceeded even the limits of explicit reality to get the pure form of the objects, reaching beyond the risky limit of mere functionality.
CLAUDE BOUCHARD, interior architect and designer by training, is well known for his pieces of design in ceramics, porcelain, glass, metal and wood for firms such as Hermès...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
"Proust" Leather Mouse Pad Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Proust" is a leather mouse pad, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned.
Colors combinatio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Modern desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Ghidini 1961, Danese Milano, Enzo Mari, and AIREDELSUR. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $15 and tops out at $57,800 while the average work can sell for $499.
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