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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
to
84
527
246
43
246
570
2
44
157
1
2
5
13
59
28
17
1,348
816
585
307
283
228
66
57
53
52
49
41
39
38
37
30
25
25
330
209
127
118
104
356
231
456
320
108
108
69
Height
to
Width
to
816
453
703
63
63
52
49
35
Style: Modern
"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
Watch Box for Five Watches in Smoke Grey Oak, Red Ultrasuede Detail
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
Leather Tray, Large B Retangular Tray, Handmade - Color: Military
By Aria Home
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
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
Modern Cast Polished Bronze Limited Edition Sculpture Studio Job Handmade
Located in Milan, IT
A contrary object, an everyday plastic bin executed in polished bronze. This piece is a follow-up of the ongoing ‘Craft’ series started in 2000 where ordinary objects are elevated to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Ghidini 1961 Omini Pen and Cards Tray in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Made from brass the pen and card tray is suitable for storing pens, pencils and cards and adds a touch of whimsy to your home office.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
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
Signed Steuben White Swirl & Bubble Glass Egg Paperweight by George Thompson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Signed Steuben White Swirl & Bubble Glass Egg Paperweight by George Thompson, USA, Circa 1970s
This exquisite Steuben glass egg paperweight, des...
Category
20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Ghidini 1961 Nowhere Bullet Vase in Brass by Studio Job
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Based on a tale of two wild girls traveling across the US, the Nowhere bullet vase feature iconic Studio Job engravings and a typical oversized form giving...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Italian modern yellow rings for perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date 2020
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern yellow 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 yellow plastic. The ring has...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Onyx Marble Decorative Object Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
A polished onyx decorative object paperweight, a tetradecagon shape, in brown and tan hues, in the Modern style, Post-Modern period, circa 1970s. A great piece for a desk, library, s...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
Everest Z5R Hand Crank Calculator, Italy
By Everest
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Everest Z5R hand crank calculator. In greyish metal, the Everest Z5R is a 10-key pinwheel calculator from the 1950s. It has a 13-digit main register in the top left corner, an 8-digi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
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 Tip Top Pencil Holder in Polished Gold Finish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pencil holder in stainless steel. When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Contemporary Coloured Crystal Bookend, Model BOO.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Contemporary coloured crystal bookend, Model BOO.
Modern bookend in cut crystal, coloured in bright, warm colours.
h: 20cm, w: 14cm, d: 7cm
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
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
Wooden Christmas Tree Set JUNIPER – Cedar
Located in Orlando, FL
The JUNIPER decorative solid handmade Christmas tree set adds warmth to your holiday theme with its minimalist and natural design. Inspired by the aesthetic form of the juniper tree,...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Italian modern light brown rings for perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date 2020
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern light brown 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 light brown plastic. Th...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Italian modern brown rings for perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, 2020s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown 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 brown plastic. The ring has t...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Italian modern gray rings for the perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, 2020s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern silver gray 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 silver gray plastic. ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Wooden Christmas Tree Set FIR – Cedar
Located in Orlando, FL
The natural cedar minimalist Christmas trees are unique decorative pieces that blend the natural beauty of the fir tree with a modern design. This luxurious handcrafted solid cedar t...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Set FIR – Cedar
Located in Orlando, FL
The natural cedar minimalist Christmas trees are unique decorative pieces that blend the natural beauty of the fir tree with a modern design. This luxurious handcrafted solid cedar t...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Watch Box for Five Watches in Polished Black with Ultrasuede Detail
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
Contemporary Trivet/Coaster in Steel, Square/Circle, Modern, Minimal, Geometric
Located in Stockholm, SE
Trivets in steel with small rubber pads for protection.
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Watch Box for Nine Watches in Polished Black with Suede and Leather
By Agresti
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
Octagonal Crystal Glass Pillar Paperweight
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Crystal Glass Modern Paperweight Octagonal Pillar
unmarked
7.75 L x 2.25 diameter
Preowned vintage unrestored condition.
One scuff -scratch present, hard to see, must be mentioned.
R...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Italian modern dark green rings for perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, 2020
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern dark 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 Da...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Black Ebony Polished Wood Box for 24 Cufflinks with Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box for 24 pairs of cufflinks in black polished wood with leather handles.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Wood
White Marble Elipse Plates Set
By Casa Mineral
Located in Mexico City, MX
Plates in Veneciano white marble. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Dimensions: Small: 22 D x 16 W x 2 H cm Large: 26 D x 20 W x 2 H cm. Production time: 6-8 weeks for item...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Thumbs Letter Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze thumbs letter holder by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a patinated bronze pair of opposing thumbs that are separated to s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Yellow Rabbit Door Stopper / Bookends, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Yellow rabbit as a door stopper / bookends.
Made in Italy:
Made in Italy furniture means design, quality, style and sophistication.
The typical elega...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Constellation Marble Bowl, Small Low in Nero Marquina Marble, in Stock
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The hexagonal bowls are designed so that they can be laid together forming a honeycomb formation, either in same color or in different color combinations.
Please note that no two...
Category
2010s British Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Art Deco Crystal Faceted Block Paperweight Vase Desk Accessory
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A thick Block of Crystal with a large hole in the center. The faceted piece had a previous life as an ink well, or small container for stamps or a piece like a salt Cellar.
The pi...
Category
20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Leather Tray, Large A Rectangular Tray, Handmade - Color: Vanilla
By Aria Home
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
In Stock in Los Angeles, Blue Spire Candle 1001 Lights Unbreakable Spirit Scent
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Blue spire candle 1001 lights. Unbreakable spirit scent
In stock in Los Angeles
Home candle with tower design, translucent porcelain container and lid in blue and gold luster. It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
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
Square table model "Mettsass" by Ettore Sottsass red glass, 20th century design
Located in Barcelona, ES
One of Sottsass first designs for BD, the "Mettsass" has lost none of the personality with which Sottsass designed it for BD some 40 years ago, in 1972. The structure is made of flat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Brass Arc Pen Tray by Stem Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Arc Pen Tray by Stem Design
Dimensions: D 6 x W 18 x H 2.5 cm.
Materials: Brass.
Finish: Tumbled and burnished.
Weight: 0,7 kg.
Finished and assembled by hand in India. Also available in aluminum. Please contact us.
Arc pen tray is designed as a pedestal for a pen that you hold close.
The linear piece with an elevated concave surface graciously exhibits any writing instrument and demonstrates a sculptural quality through its simplified form.
The objects layers on as a metaphor and showcases the beauty of being who you are. It strips off all the layers of ornamentation and artificial finishes to build an immediate and intuitive connection with the product that lasts a lifetime.
Stem is a contemporary Indian product...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Set of Three Unique Pieces Hand Painted Sicilian Terracotta Decorative Spheres
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Three spheres made in Sicily, in the small town of Caltagirone, world famous for handcrafted ceramics. They are especially made for our store and are unique pieces. Measures: Diamete...
Category
2010s Sicilian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Terracotta
Versace for Rosenthal "L'Ange Gabriel" Plate, 1996 20th Century
By Versace
Located in Madrid, ES
Versace for Rosenthal "L'Ange Gabriel" Plate, 1996
Rosenthal "Versace" Christmas plate, 1996. Porcelain, white with colorful decor, maker's mark "Rosen...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Italian modern black metal and plastic squared baskets by Neolt, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Black metal and plastic squared baskets by Neolt, 1980s
Pair of square-based office bins. The main structure is made of a perforated metal sh...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
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
Glass Lemon in Ruby
Located in Richmond, VA
Sculptural glass lemon, handmade in Auckland, New Zealand by artist Devyn Ormsby. Individually cast from a true to size lemon into a solid, crystal glass form.
Each lemon is a perso...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Strawberry Pink 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 cr...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Vintage Scottish Blown Glass Paperweight Caithness Myriad
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Classic Scottish blown glass paperweight. interesting visual with twisted design. Great colors.
Caithness Myriad
Scotland
Category
20th Century Scottish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Blown Glass
Sage Size 9 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot Made to Order Hand Made from Reclaimed Wood
Located in calgary, CA
Perfect as a feature objet d'art on your table or shelves, a catch-all for jewellery and special items, or displayed as a group for a striking centrepiece.
Each Log Bowl is unique and makes the perfect one of a kind gift.
Log Bowls...
Category
2010s Canadian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Willow
Glass Sphere
Located in New York, NY
A transparent glass sphere on a square glass base decorative object or paperweight, in the Modern style, circa late-20th century. A great decorative object for a desk, library, shelf...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Contemporary Blackened Bronze 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
Menhir White Marble Carved Bookend
By Casa Mineral
Located in Mexico City, MX
Bookend in carved Veneciano white marble. Handmade in Mexico. The delivery time is 6 to 8 weeks for items without marble and 13 to 14 weeks for marble pieces. For shipping outside M...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Bymyside Desk Accessories by Rectangle Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Bymyside desk accessories by Rectangle Studio
Dimensions: W 25 x D 2 x H 48 cm
Materials: White marble
Bymyside desk is a complementary design accessory that is manually shape...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Italian Murano Vase by Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful Italian Murano smoked grey charcoal faceted art glass vase by Alessandro Mandruzzato for Sommerso, circa mid to late-20th century, Italy. Beautiful at any angle. Dim...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass, Art Glass
Leather Tray, Small Square Tray, Handmade - Color: Vanilla
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
SHAGREEN PEN HOLDER sage green striped metal details exclusive design
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Pen holder with design essential and contemporary coated with the very special shagreen leather in the seductive sage color.
Handcrafted with skilled craftsmanship, the pen h...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Christmas Tree Ceramic Head, Red, Large, Cedar (Limited Edition)
Located in Orlando, FL
-Cedar, Fir, and Juniper, designed to evoke the form of cedar, fir, and juniper trees, abstracted and inspired by their names, to create a perfect atmosphere for your New Year concep...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cedar
Contemporary Trivet/Coaster in Steel, Circle/Triangle, Modern, Minimal Geometric
Located in Stockholm, SE
Trivets in steel with small rubber pads for protection.
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Aluminum Arc Pen Trays by Stem Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Aluminum Arc Pen Trays by Stem Design
Dimensions: D 6 x W 18 x H 2.5 cm.
Materials: Aluminum.
Finish: Tumbled and burnished.
Weight: 0,3 kg (each.)
Finished and assembled by hand in India. Also available in Brass. Please contact us.
Arc pen tray is designed as a pedestal for a pen that you hold close.
The linear piece with an elevated concave surface graciously exhibits any writing instrument and demonstrates a sculptural quality through its simplified form.
The objects layers on as a metaphor and showcases the beauty of being who you are. It strips off all the layers of ornamentation and artificial finishes to build an immediate and intuitive connection with the product that lasts a lifetime.
Stem is a contemporary Indian product...
Category
2010s Indian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Italian red typewriter Valentine by Ettore Sottsass Perry King Olivetti, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern typewriter Valentine by Ettore Sottsass and Perry A. King for Olivetti, 1970s
Iconic typewriter model Valentine with rectangular base and rounded corners, in bright re...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Unique Micro Modern Gargoyle by André Teoman Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Micro Modern Gargoyle by André Teoman Studio
Dimensions: W 26 x D 30 x H 45 cm
Materials: Tiger Skin Marble, Gold Leaf
André Teoman born in Viana do Castelo, Portugal in 1989, was raised between Viana do Castelo and Istanbul. Teoman took design classes in Viana do Castelo. Is experience it the world of puppetry and theater also had an effect on his the love for the fantasy world.
In 2012, he left his hometown for Porto to start working with several luxury design furniture brands such as Boca do Lobo and Koket, where he developed pieces like the Newton Dining Table...
Category
2010s Portuguese Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Gold Leaf
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.