Skip to main content

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.

2
531
255
34
to
73
356
307
820
432
660
1,314
820
509
311
233
168
73
61
61
56
49
45
40
36
35
31
29
22
255
565
6
44
159
1
5
15
60
31
17
Height
to
Width
to
328
198
105
100
83
534
346
118
74
68
63
49
40
33
26
Style: Modern
Lime 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

Murano Penguin Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage hand blown Murano glass penguin sculpture in clear, black, and white colors / Made in Italy, circa 1970s Measures: height 5 inches, width 3...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Berd Vay'e Limited Edition "Time Squared" Lucite Sculpture 'Small'
Located in New Orleans, LA
Berd Vay'e limited edition "Time Squared" lucite sculpture Structured integrity; the Time Squared sculpture appears to tumble through time, resting remarkably mid-air - a spectacula...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Tronador Medium Mini Box, Brown 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

Tronador Large Mini Box, Brown 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

Dark Green Marble Obelisks, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A substantial pair of dark green marble Obelisk sculptures in the modern style, circa late-20th century. Pair/set are dark green marble with black veining, some minor traces of white...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Bronze Scarab Paperweight
Located in Milan, IT
Made entirely by hand from a block of bronze, the Scarab Paperweight—by Florentine luxury experts Badari—offers eternal charm and allure. Hailed by ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Set of Three Lucite Pyramid Sculptures Orange, Purple, Sapphire Blue 1990's
Located in North Miami, FL
This collection of lucite jewel toned sculptures in orange, red, sapphire blue and purple are two pyramids and one abstract form. They glisten with gorgeous colors and make a great s...
Category

1990s American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Purple 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 aka 'lilac stone'. A beautif...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Chrome

Classico Travertine Incense Plate by Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Classico Travertine Incense Plate by Henry Wilson Dimensions: D 28 x H 4 cm Materials: Travertine The incense plate is carved from solid green Guatemala...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

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

Unique Swinger Modern Gargoyle by André Teoman Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Swinger Modern Gargoyle by André Teoman Studio. Dimensions: W 31 x D 31 x H 75 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

Herman Miller Signed Leaf LED Desk Lamp by Yves Behar Model G6510.3Y Modern 2007
Located in Miami, FL
Modern LED Leaf Desk lamp designed by Yves Behar and made by Herman Miller. Organic shaped steel in Dove gray with adjustable LED Arm and rotates. Touch controls at the base turn ...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Steel

Unique Human Modern Gargoyle by André Teoman Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique human modern gargoyle by André Teoman Studio Dimensions: W 9 x D 9 x H 49 cm Materials: Tiger skin marble, gold leaf André Teoman born in Viana do Castelo, Portugal in 19...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Gold Leaf

Unique Eyes Modern Gargoyle by André Teoman Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Swinger Modern Gargoyle by André Teoman Studio Dimensions: W 6 x D 6 x H 49 cm Materials: Tiger Skin Marble, Gold Leaf André Teoman born in Viana do Castelo, Portugal in 1989...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Gold Leaf

Contemporary Teardrop Glass Paperweight, Signed, Canada, Circa 2012
Located in Chatham, ON
Contemporary studio glass 'teardrop' paperweight sculpture - hand made/mouth blown with striking green, white and yellow swirl center - indistinctly signed and dated on the base (unk...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Modernist Wrought Iron Candle Snuffer
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful wrought-tin candle snuffer with a modernist vibe including two fins around a central knuckle, and ending in a ball finial.
Category

20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wrought Iron

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, Portugal in 1989...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Gold Leaf

Danese Milano Maiorca Black Pencil & Paperclip Aluminum Holder by Bruno Munari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Black Maiorca is a pencil and paperclip holder with fire resistant melamine shell and anodized aluminium interior fumé. Bruno Munari was one of the most important Italian architec...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Danese Milano Flores Black Box in Stainless Steel by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Black Flores is a rounded, plastic pencil case. It is made up of two parts in polystyrene. The hinges are the distinctive invention of the designer and with their interlocking mechan...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Polystyrene

Silver rectangular Pencil Box, Hommage Collection
Located in VIC-LA-GARDIOLE, FR
This rectangular pencil box is part of the "Hommage" (tribute) collection, a line of stationery and office accessories designed and hand-manufactured by Car...
Category

2010s French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Unique Zé Veado by André Teoman Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Zé Veado by André Teoman Studio Limited Edition Dimensions: W 27 x D 27 x H 57 cm Materials: Marble, Brass André Teoman born in Viana do Castelo, Portugal in 1989, was raised...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Brass

JR Nest by Ango, Handcrafted Rattan Table Light
By Ango
Located in Bangkok, TH
JR Nest is a small table lamp using fine 1 mm. rattan wire hand-woven. The elemental and universal form of a tripod supporting a nest like vessel that is inc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Rattan

Time of Action No. 20-2 by Chaeyoung Lee
Located in Geneve, CH
Time of Action No. 20-2 by Chaeyoung Lee Materials: Ebonized and carved wood Dimensions: 34,5 x 32 x 41 cm Time of Action is a minimal and carefully...
Category

2010s Korean Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Green Guatemala Incense Plate by Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Guatemala Incense Plate by Henry Wilson Dimensions: D 28 x H 4 cm Materials: Green Guatemala Marble The Incense plate is carved from solid Green G...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Decorative & Top Quality Made, Matt Chrome Painted Bronze Bear Skull Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Exact replica of a black bear skull, cast in bronze. This cool and hand-crafted bronze skull is an exact replica of a black bear skull. Less than 20 were...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Bronze

White and Clear Marbled 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

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

Maitland Smith Horn, Abalone and Wood Hinged Octagonal Box Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This exquisite and rare vintage Maitland Smith large hinged box box has a beautiful medallion on top of a black stone set into brass. The box is a beautiful combination of horn, abal...
Category

1970s Philippine Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Danese Milano Compartment for In Attesa/Koro in Opaline by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Danese Milano Compartment for In Attesa/Koro waste paper basket in opaline by Enzo Mari Enzo Mari is one of the masters of Italian Design. He was born in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Knotted Tray Set André Fu Living Desk Office Home Accessories Modern PU New
Located in CENTRAL, HK
Description: Double tray set Color: Grey Size of big tray: 55.2 x 35 x 5.8 H cm Size of small tray: 38.8 x 16 x 2 H cm Material: PU Collection: Knotted.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Faux Leather

Renzo Set Concrete Tray Made in Italy White & 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

Kerry Glass Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Kerry glass paperweight hand blown in dark green color with small bubbles / Made in Ireland, circa 1980s Original stickers on the glass ...
Category

Late 20th Century Irish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

M34 Vessel by Aysun Ay
Located in Geneve, CH
M34 vessel by Aysun Ay Dimensions: D15 X H27 Materials: Stoneware ceramic Sculptural pieces can vary slighty as each is a unique piece of art. Improvisational design made by h...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

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

Contemporary 'Black Eye' Sculpture Engraved Glass, Chromed Brass by Ghiró Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2022 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 embel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, 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

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

Coral Size 10 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot Made to Order Hand Made from Reclaimed Wood
Located in calgary, CA
Log bowls combine the beauty of a tree in its natural state with a high-gloss, vibrant finish. Each bowl is handmade using locally reclaimed trees of all var...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Willow

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

1970's Italian Malachite and Diamond Gold Ring
Located in North Miami, FL
1970's Italian Malachite and diamonds gold ring. 14K gold,. Has wear by age and use.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite, Gold

Silver chiseled Pencil Holder, Hommage Collection, Weaving Pattern
Located in VIC-LA-GARDIOLE, FR
This Pencil Holder is part of the "Hommage" (tribute) collection, a line of stationery and office accessories designed and hand-manufactured by Carole Serny, whose aesthetics highlig...
Category

2010s French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

21st Century Concrete Cement Renzo Tray Centrepiece Handmade Perla White 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

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

Aina Contemporary Jurassic Fossil Marble Glacies Cube, Living Collection
Located in ES
Glacies Cube sculpted from a solid piece of Jurassic Marble, with Nerineas fossils, in raw finish. Designed by AINA and manufactured by NERINEA in our factory located in Valencia (Spain). All Aina’s products are delivered with a certificate of material authenticity. Let us tell you the story of the Jurassic Fossil...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade in Italy Pink 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

Danese Milano In Attesa Wastepaper Basket in White by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
In attesa is a wastepaper basket. It is an injection moulded polypropylene cylinder but the base is not perpendicular to the sides instead it is at a diagona...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Set of 5 Contemporary white & gold Glazed Ceramic Showtime Vases by Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Showtime vases by Jaime Hayon are the most iconic in BD’s catalogue. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Showtime Collection, we asked Jaime for new vase finishes. His propo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold

Tronador Square Black Onyx Stone Box
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

French Porcelain Espresso Coffee or Tea Demitasse Cup Saucer w/Abstract Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French porcelain espresso coffee or tea demitasse cup and saucer with colorful abstract design, circa late-20th century, France. Marked on bottom as shown. French bla...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Kosta Boda Green and Clear Art Glass Collectable Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Sweden round green and clear glass paperweight. Vicke Lindstrand Kosta style Swedish art glass paperweight. Beautiful vintage glass art paperweight with multi sized controlled bubbles in green and clear accenting the close concentric complex. Hand blown bubble design Scandinavian Modern Art glass paperweight...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Danese Milano Compartment for In Attesa/Koro in Black by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Danese Milano Compartment for In Attesa/Koro waste paper basket in black by Enzo Mari Enzo Mari is one of the masters of Italian Design. He was born in No...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Danese Milano Large Citera Box in Stainless Steel by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Citera is a large box made using a combination of contrasting materials, polished stainless steel and rosewood. The lid can either be opened on hinges or simply placed on top and the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stainless Steel

Danese Milano Koro Wastepaper Basket in White by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Koro is a waste paper basket intended for the workplace and in public spaces. The cylindrical form is made of injection-moulded polypropylene. Enzo Mari is one of the masters of I...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Danese Milano Canarie White Desk Set in Aluminum by Bruno Munari
Located in Hicksville, NY
White Canarie is a desk set made up of a pencil holder, a paperclip holder and two ashtrays. It was designed to help keep a desk or work surface in order with everything you might ne...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Danese Milano In Attesa Wastepaper Basket in Opaline by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
In attesa is a wastepaper basket. It is an injection moulded polypropylene cylinder but the base is not perpendicular to the sides instead it is at a diagona...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

English Burl Wood Obelisk
Located in New York, NY
A brown burl wood obelisk, circa early-20th century, England. Obelisk is hand-crafted in a rich brown burl. A beautiful decorative object for a bookshelf, office, desk, etc. Dimensio...
Category

Early 20th Century English Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Burl

Set Tronador Square & Rectangular Black Onyx Stone Boxes
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Dimensions : Rectangular: 25 x 8 x 5 cm // 9.8" x 3.1" x 1.9" Square: 16 x 16 x 10 cm // 6,25" x 6,25" x 3,9" The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyram...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Onyx

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.

Recently Viewed

View All