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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Knotted Double Leather Tray Set Large Home Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Knotted double leather serving tray set.
Hand stitched calf leather.
Also, available in a smaller size tray set of two, size 36.2 x 24.7 x 5.8 H cm.
Larger quantities available u...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Bronze Signed Boucher Vintage Architectural Sculpture Carrara Marble Base French
By Boucheron
Located in North Miami, FL
The intersecting sculptural lines of this French signed vintage bronze sculpture by Boucher is polished and has a rose gold color of the bronze. It sits on a white and gray veined Carrara marble block base that is attached. The measurements for the sculpture alone are as follows: 9" H x 5" D x 4.5" W. It is from the 1960s. The intersecting lines of this sculpture give it parallel forms. It is a dynamic sculpture...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Louise Nevelson Style Dimensional Signed Wood Box Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing and intricate carved wood box sculpture that stands tabletop is signed and dated. The signature is not terribly legible but is dated 1996. It is in the style of Louise Nevelson. The box opens to geometric and raised forms that are dimensional. It bridges Folk Art, Tramp Art and modern art all in one. As you can see from the photos it folds up like a small suitcase...
Category
1990s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Knotted Tissue Box Caramel Home Office Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Description: Tissue box
Color: Caramel
Size: 27.5 x 15.5 x 7.9 H cm
Material: PU
Collection: Knotted.
Category
2010s Thai Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Faux Leather
Olivetti Divisumma 28 Mario Bellini Design Years '70
Located in Biella, IT
Olivetti divisumma 28 Mario Bellini design years '70, perfect working and very good condition.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic
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
Contemporary 'Gocce' Set of Three Sculptures Aquamarine Crystal by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Each crystal is exclusive and unique as it has been entirely hand-worked from a block of crystal. This makes it impossible to create two perfectly identical ones. Three natural blocks of crystal was used to make this set of decorative objects .
The crystal have been processed by hand until they obtain a perfectly smooth and luminous surface. The color of the crystal is aquamarine with high transparency.
They present a modern furnishing...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Wooden Christmas Tree Set – Cedar, Medium Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The minimal modern handcrafted tree set is designed to bring a natural and aesthetic atmosphere to your holiday theme. These solid cedar decorative Christmas objects...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Cartier Vintage Black Sunglasses with Box, 1990 Silver Logo
By Cartier
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Cartier classic black sunglasses with silver CC logo.
Classic, timeless, sophisticated piece to add to your wardrobe
Authentic, vintage, rare, Cartier Paris France Black Ja...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Tiffany & Co. 1981 Angela Cummings Aerodynamic Twisted Pen .925 Sterling Silver
By Tiffany & Co., Angela Cummings
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
Seo of 4 Eggshell Vases. From the Oygg series
By WKND Lab
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Seo of 4 Eggshell Vases, 2023
From The Oygg series
Material : Egg Shells, Jesmonite
Dimensions: 41.2 W x 10 D x 19.3 H (cm)
Individual size: 10.3 W x 10 D x 19.3 H (cm)
Weight: 5 kg...
Category
2010s North Korean Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Shell, Eggshell
Contemporary 'Eye Night' Sculpture Engraved Glass, Chromed Brass 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 embe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Mahjong Game Board in Black Polished Ebony Passione Di Gioco
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Ebony polished mahjong with ruthenium brass parts.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ebony
Whimsical Venetian Murano Art Glass Frog on a Lily Pad over a Globe Paperweight
Located in Tustin, CA
Very artistic, fun, and whimsical, hand made and mouth blown in Italy, golden yellow with brown speckled back, white bellied art glass frog on a green lily pad flanked over a bulbous...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Vintage Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian spherical onyx desk paperweight, in natural neutral hues / Made in Italy circa 1970s
Measures: diameter 4 inches
Order reference #: FABIOLTD G178
This piece makes for...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
Contemporary Golden Brass Tape Dispenser by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Tape Dispenser by Henry Wilson
Dimensions: W 14 x D 5 x H 7 cm
Materials: Brass
The brass tape dispenser is a hefty piece of stationery. I...
Category
2010s Australian 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
Wooden Christmas Tree Set – Cedar, Large Size
Located in Orlando, FL
Modern minimalist holiday décor trees offer a natural and elegant option to complete your Christmas decorations. This solid cedar minimalist decorative tree set abstractly reinterpre...
Category
2010s Asian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
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
Contemporary Black Round Slate Sculpted Center Piece by Frederic Saulou
Located in Geneve, CH
Slate sculpted center piece by Frederic Saulou
Center piece
Black Slate
H 6, D 32 cm, approximately 20 kg
Limited edition of 20
Signed and numbered.
"While wandering in the s...
Category
2010s French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Slate
Ghidini 1961 Knotted Cherry Medium 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
Desk Set with Magnifying Glass and Letter Opener - Ammonite Fossils
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Add a touch of elegance and history to your desk with this exquisite set, consisting of a magnifying glass and a letter opener embellished with authentic fossil ammonites from the Me...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Bracelet in Gold, Emerald and Brilliant
Located in Madrid, ES
Bracelet in gold, emerald and brilliant.
It has 5 emeralds and 4 brilliants. 18k gold.
Measures 20 cm length and weight 20g
Very good condition. Measure: 20cm.
Category
20th Century Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold
Polished Briarwood and Mahogany Jewel Box with Gold-Plated Hardware
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry chest in polished briarwood and mahogany, ultrasuede lining, 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With necklace bars, lockable doors and five drawers. Adjustable mirror on...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
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
Portapenna attribuita a Fontana Arte Pietro Chiesa Gio Ponti
Located in Lugo, IT
Portapenna in cristallo attribuito a una produzione di Fontana Arte su disegno di Pietro Chiesa o Gio Ponti.
Piccolo segno interno, in foto e in video si vede ma non rotture e segni ...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Renzo Set Concrete Tray Made in Italy Red&White 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
"SEKITEI" Coffee Table by Yulia Pyanzina (Marble, Italy)
Located in Pastrengo, IT
The SEKITEI coffee table which makes part of the ORIGAMI Collection is a fruit of collaboration between MARMI REGINA, company that creates prestigious works in marble and natural sto...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Briar with Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Elm briar and striped mahogany for your collectable watches. Leather handles. Briar box for nine watches.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Wood
Modern Black Silver Gold or Copper Metal Rabbit Accent Chair
Located in Origgio (VA), IT
"Mr Holder was a shark who loved swimming but could not do it. He was mocked by all the other sharks who called him a 'boring little girl'. Poor thing! Then two famous designers with...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Velvet Dark Gold Rabbit Door Stopper / Bookends
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Velvet dark gold rabbit as a door stopper / bookends.
Made in Italy:
Made in Italy furniture means design, quality, style and sophistication.
The typical...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Velvet
Salta Medium Square Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
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
Posacenere stile Jean Luce Saint Gobain Fontana Arte
Located in Lugo, IT
Posacenere nello stile di Jean Luce per Saint Gobain o produzione Fontana Arte.
Buone condizioni.
Grazie
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Silver Plate Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver plate letter opener - a large and well designed letter opener in silver plate - ergonomically designed and weighted on one end for easy handling and an artful design - handsom...
Category
20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Corporate Christmas Gift Box 1
Located in Orlando, FL
The Corporate Christmas Gift Box is an aesthetically refined and functional gift set, specially designed to meet the needs of the business world. Developed in collaboration with LEON...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Oak
Contemporary Handcrafted Geometric Bookend "Tropi 2" in Solid Marble by Anaktae
By ANAKTAE
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary handcrafted geometric bookend "Tropi 2" in solid marble.
Each bookend is composed of two geometric pieces of solid marble fused togeth...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Jean Filhos for Christofle Silvered Bronze Erotic Letter Opener Nude, 1974 Franc
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury silvered erotic letter opener or bookmark with nudes by the French artist Jean Filhos, (1921-2002)
This model was created as the official 1974 ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Unique Clown Modern Gargoyle by André Teoman Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique clown modern gargoyle by André Teoman Studio
Dimensions: W 14 x D 25 x H 45 cm
Materials: Tiger skin marble, gold leaf
André Teoman born in Viana do Castelo...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Gold Leaf
Vintage Signed Molten Bronze and Black Metal Cascading Dali, Esque Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This sensual and fabulous 2 part limited edition signed vintage sculpture is molten bronze cascading in a body form perched atop the black metal base. The bronze looks like rose gold...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pierre Disderot Paris 1980 Pair of Aerodynamic Desk Lamps in Nickel Chrome
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of desk lamps designed by Pierre Disderot.
Beautiful aerodynamic modern pair of desk lamps, created in Paris France by the company of Pierre Disderot, back in the 1980. These...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome, Nickel
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
Wild Coffee Tree Sculpture with Metal Base, Unique Piece, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2)
Wild coffee tree sculpture with metal base, decorative object.
A...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Knotted Vide Poche Set of 2 Beige Desk Home Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Description: Tray set of 2
Color: Beige
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
Green Glass Pear Paperweights
Located in Queens, NY
2 Light green tinted glass pear paperweight (PRICED EACH)
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Italian modern orange rings for perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date 2020
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern orange 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 ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
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
Italian modern white rings for perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, 2020s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern pearl white 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 pearl white plastic. Th...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
"Lorenzo" Riveted Leather Pencil Holder by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Lorenzo" is a riveted leather pencil holder, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
"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
Bruno Munari Silver-Plate Sculptural Vase with Glass Insert Italian Vintage
By Bruno Munari
Located in North Miami, FL
This undulating sculptural vintage silver-plate vase signed B.Munari on the bottom 1973 is both sculptural and utilitarian. It is Italian by Bruno Munari made for Danese and a lovely vase and or desk accessory and will have so many other applications. it can also be used as a candle holder without the glass insert. The small glass vessel is short and will hold a few roses, a few orchids or a few gardenias or your favorite flower. It is 4" height x 2" diameter. Please note this is not the re-issue and is totally vintage...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
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
Karl Springer Waste Basket in Tessellated Travertine, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Meticulously crafted waste basket in tessellated travertine with gilded accents and solid brass feet by Maitland Smith for Karl Springer, American 1980's (bottom lined in fabric). Ta...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Black Polished Box for 20 Pens with Suede and Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Black polished wooden pen box with anti-tarnish suede and leather handles for your collection of writing instruments.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Suede, Wood
Italian modern green rings for perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, 2020s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern green 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 green plastic. The ring has t...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Climber Clips Holder in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Paper clips holder in brass
Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Louis Lejeune Norwich Terrier Hood Ornament
Located in Huntington, NY
Louis Lejeune Norwich Terrier Hood Ornament
Louis Lejeune Mascots adorn the finest European & American Cars.
The British Royal Family have, for many years, displayed mascots on ...
Category
Late 20th Century English Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
"Antonio" Leather Pencil Holder Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Antonio" is a leather pencil holder, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera, and is part of Foglia Couture collection. G...
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.