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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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

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Style: Modern
Supreme x rOtring 600 3-in-1 Multicolor pen &v mechanical pencil, SS 2023, Japan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Supreme®/rOtring 600 3-in-1 Multicolor pen and mechanical pencil. Includes black and red ballpoint inks with 0.5 mm mechanical pencil. Additional blue refill included.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stainless Steel

Set of 3 Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Vase Purple Crystal Hand Engraved by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of vase by Ghirò Studio (Milan, Italy). This object is an artistic and one-of-a-kind vase. In fact, the craftsmanship and the nature of the material make it impossibl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

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

New Modern Vase in red and white Marble, creator 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

Salta Large Square Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
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

New Modern Vase in Nero and White Marbles, Creator Matteo Cibic Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Vase in black marquinia and white michelangelo marble, Size: 38.2 x 23.4 x 7.3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Tacca, Homage Collection by the Italian Designer Matteo Cibic. M...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

21st Century Renzo Set Concrete Tray 100% Handmade in Italy
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

Tronador Square Bordeaux 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

White 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 Se...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Modern Brass Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful modern brass letter opener, circa 20th century, Europe. Dimension: 9.94" long/wide.  White French vide-poche catch-all shown also available, ...
Category

20th Century European Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Modern Brass Letter Opener
Modern Brass Letter Opener
$380 Sale Price
20% Off
'Set of 2' Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

New Modern Marble Vase, creator Matteo Cibic, Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Vase in black Marquinia, Red Levanto and white Michelangelo marble, Size: 38.2 x 23.4 x 7.3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Tacca, Homage Collection by the Italian designer M...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

White Porcelain Ashtray Made in Germany
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage pure white china ashtray. With a fresh, contemporary modern look with embossed arabesques design. Hotelporzellan, Hogermann. Made in Germany, cir...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Italian Handmade Photo Frame Black White Plexi, Otto Sharing Black
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Sharing Otto back is a unique multiples edition of Art with Heart collection of pop recto-verso photo frames by Laura G Italy. It is beautiful wherever you look at it, its surface is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plexiglass

Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns Measures: length 5 inches, width 4.5 inches, height 1 inch This piece makes for a great...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone

Vintage Multicolored Floral Medallion Glass Vase by Rick Strini
Located in Soquel, CA
Gorgeous multicolored vase with olive green and blue swirled background highlighted with four unique black medallions of rose bouquets by Rick Strini (Amer...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

FERMACHE WITH TRILOBITE real fossil of the Paleozoic Era to admire and use #1
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
On a polished metal base lies a magnificent fossil of authentic trilobite that appears to be resting on top of a rock. Today, this exceptional marine organism lived millions of y...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Brass

Set of 3, Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper

Vintage Signed Arthur Court Bronze Dog Puppies Paperweight Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This delightful and charming vintage signed bronze paperweight sculpture are of 6 connecting puppy dogs linked together in different positions. It is hallmarked Arthur Court Designs C. 1979. This is a rare piece. He rarely did his work in bronze. It retains the original darkened patina and has not been polished nor will be.It has weight, interest and makes a fabulous desk accessory. Love this small...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary Signed Italian Metal Sculpture
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and interesting Italian metal sculpture of contemporary art. The work is presented under an elegant shrine with a wooden base. Excell...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Office Set in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
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

Honeycomb Desk Set, Hand Blown Contemporary Glass, in Stock
Located in New York, NY
The honeycomb desk set is comprised of four separate organizing containers that create a contemporary look on any desk environment. Made with gold topaz color, the set includes a large catch all (2.5" x 8.5") and three accompanying smaller containers...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Desk Set of Natural Stone Oxide Slate Minimalist Design Handmade in Spain Meddel
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Desk Set of Natural Stone Oxide Slate Minimalist Design Handmade in Spain Meddel Transform your workspace with our elegant rust slate screen rest, made in Spain. This subtly designed...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Slate

Shell Sculpture Paperweight by Mikasa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Intricate hand blown glass shell sculpture with silver specks / Made in Japan by Kurata for retailer Mikasa, circa 1980s Original sticker on the base ...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

DeCastelli Riviera Pots 1 Flower 90 Planter in Stainless Steel by Aldo Cibic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“I’ve always been drawn to nature as it manifests its strength in unexpected contexts”. With this, Aldo Cibic built a miniature natural landscape, poetically made of structures, cont...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rene Dumas Lucite Sculptural Chess Players French Vintage Aubergine And Clear
Located in North Miami, FL
The designer of these amazing vintage French lucite modernist chess players from the 1970s are by Renee Dumas who is related to the Hermes family. They a...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Knotted Vide Poche Set of 2 Mink Desk Home Accessories By André Fu Living
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

Contemporary 'Cactus with Flower' Handmade Crystal Sculpture by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of handmade sculpture by Ghirò Studio. 'Cactus with flower' sculpture was made by hand working the crystal with extreme care and attention. Each sculpture is unique...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Geometric Decoration Set Ceramic, White Porcelain, Sculptural Object 'Cubism'
Located in Carballo, ES
Geometry set of 3 pieces made of ceramic, with high quality stoneware in the Galician town of Buño, known throughout the world for its quality in the pottery technique. The shapes in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Terracotta

Curtis Jere Honeybird Sculpture on Faux Bois Stone Quartz Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Honeybird sculpture by Curtis Jere Faux Bois on stone quartz base.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Blitz Marble Bookends Nero & Arabescato By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
The Blitz Bookends comprise two contrasting marbles honed to achieve a sophisticated finish. Inspired by the avant-garde ingenuity of the 1980’s London-based Blitz Club, these booken...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Ghidini 1961 Omini Pen and Cards Tray in Polished Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Pencils tray in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Contemporary 'Pear' Sculpture Amber Yellow Crystal Handcrafted by Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
The sculpture evokes the romantic vision of two halves that perfectly complement each other once together and symbolize the indissoluble union. Each crystal is exclusive and unique as it has been entirely hand-worked from a block of crystal. This make impossible to create two identical ones. The crystal has been worked by hand until to a smooth and luminous surface to obtain the shape of a pear. The crystal used...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Rectangular Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Axonometry rectangular small tray in copper by Elisa Giovanni. Materials: Copper Net weight: 0.4 kg Dimensions: W 18 x D 12 x 2 H cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper

Vintage Curved Horn and Mirror Cube Sculptures Pair of
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely pair of curved horn and mirror base cube sculptures are from the 80's. The gradients of colors of the horn range from tan to off white to gray and slate gray and etc. The...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Horn, Mirror

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

Limited Edition Cast Sculpture in Bronze or Brass, Constantin by Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Constantin, a Limited Edition series of cast Bronze, Brass or Leaded Bronze in Polished, Brushed or Rustic finish by Costantini founder William Stuart; his homage to Constantin Brancusi. Each piece is unique and hand-numbered by the artist. Options available will be confirmed at time of order. About William Stuart William C Stuart...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Bronze

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

Swedish Sommerso Black Charcoal Gray Clear Abstract Freeform Glass Paperweight
Located in North Miami, FL
This unusual freeform abstract glass sommerso paperweight changes forms, shapes and dynamics with each turn and placement. Colors of gradients of black, charcoal gray to gray are imm...
Category

1970s European Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

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

Blitz Marble Bookends Verde & Rose By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
The Blitz Bookends comprise two contrasting marbles honed to achieve a sophisticated finish. Inspired by the avant-garde ingenuity of the 1980’s London-based Blitz Club, these bookends are the perfect addition to any classic or contemporary living space. Materials: Verde Alpi Marble & Norwegian Rose Marble...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Glass Lemon in Lilac
Located in Richmond, VA
Casted glass lemon in dichroic lilac by Devon Made inspired by blown glass fruit makers and collectors from the 1960's. The light playful approach to everyday fruit is contrasted wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Desk Set with Fossil Ammonite - Uniqueness and History: A Timeless Gift
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Lens and Letter Opener Set: Uniqueness and History, A Timeless Gift The combination of the modernity of the design and the antiquity of the ammonites makes this set a one-of-a-kind "...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

Editioned Italian Fornasetti Calendar Porcelain Plate, 2012
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

Black marble carved large Ming
Located in Mexico City, MX
Ming in carved Monterrey black marble. Handmade in Mexico by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 additi...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Stylized Crystal Frog Sculpture / Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized crystal frog sculpture / paperweight, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clari...
Category

20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Polished Black Jewel Box in Maple and Mahogany
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry chest in polished black bird’s-eye maple and mahogany, ultra suede lining, 24-karat gold-plated brass accessories. With necklace bars, lockable doors and five drawers. Adjust...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Maple

XXI Century Italian Sterling Silver Inlstand
Located in VALENZA, IT
Modern style sterling silver inkwell. The inkwell was made from a raw sheet of 925 silver and hand-shaped to form a slightly rounded rectangle. A double-line border was soldered on t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Ghidini 1961 Bullet Table Lamp in Copper-Plated Brass by Studio Job
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Table lamp in brass and metalized glass. Materials: Copper-plated brass and metallic glass Net weight: 4.8 kg Dimensions: Diameter 17 x 54 height cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Squared Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Axonometry squared small tray in copper by Elisa Giovanni. Materials: Copper Net weight: 0.6 kg Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x 2 H cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Large Cube Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Large Cube Tray in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Office Set in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Set of 2 Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry A4 Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Copper

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Rectangular Tray in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Axonometry rectangular small tray in brass by Elisa Giovanni. Materials: Brass Net weight: 0.35 kg Dimensions: W 18 x D 12 x 2 H cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Parallelepiped Tray in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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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