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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
New Modern Soap Holder in White and Black Marble, creator Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Soap holder in White Michelangelo and Black Marquinia Marble.
Size: 20 x 9.8 x 3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Domenico, Homage Collection by the Italian Designer Matteo Ci...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Vintage German Made Globe, Globe Terrestre Wooden Base
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Nice vintage globe, issued in the 1960s by Professor Doctor Arthur Krause. The globe has a wooden base, oak. The sphere itself is made of cardboard cover...
Category
1960s German Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
White and Clear Marbled Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
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
Vase in Red and White Marble, by Cibic, Made in Italy in Stock
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Business cardholder / small vase in Rosso Levanto and Bianco Michelangelo Marble.
Size: 16.3 x 4 x 10.6 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Arturo, Homage collection by the Itali...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Optima Elite 3 Portable Typewriter, Germany
By Elite
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
The Óptima Elite 3 portable typewriter, grey in colour, was produced at the VEB Optima factory in Erfurt, GDR. It was the third iteration of the Elite model after the Erfurt typewrit...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Decorative Clear Acrylic Chain Link by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Handmade acrylic horseshoe-shaped links are looped together to form a beautiful modern chain. Its translucent and clear color give a bold yet neutral touch to any space, from the most classic to the most modern.
Whether layered into entryway vignettes or styled atop the coffee table, the Chain Link adds interest and depth to your styling.
Material: Acrylic
Care: Carefully dust with feather duster...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Acrylic
Italian Yellow Leather and Suede Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian light-yellow leather picture frame with suede backing, circa early 21st century. Frame was made in Italy for Barneys New York as marked on back, please see image ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Suede
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
Set Tronador Square & Rectangular Black Onyx Stone Boxes
By AIREDELSUR
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
Murano Decorative Obelisk by Seguso
By Venini
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful obelisk, handmade in Italy, by Seguso, Murano. Quite tall-16". Unusual color-light purple that changes with light. Polished pointed top. Nicely cut and polished edges-see p...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Vintage Signed Arthur Court Bronze Dog Puppies Paperweight Desk Accessory
By Arthur Court
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
Modern, Cloud, Magazine Holder, Desk Accessory
By kontra
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Magazine holder, magazine rack, book holder, Porte revue, Porte revues, brass.
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
LIA 6" Square Handcrafted Brass and Steel Valet Bowl Tray by Soraya Osorio
Located in Vero Beach, FL
LIA 6" Square handcrafted valet tray bowl is versatile as a decorative object or in an entry way to place your daily belongings.
A contrast in metals, hand-hammered 4 1/2" inner rou...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Brass, Steel
Contemporary Set of Two Handmade Transparent Crystal Photo Frames by GhiróStudio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Set of two photo frames, one horizontal and one vertical, of excellent workmanship and artistic quality.
The rounded edges give harmony and elegance.
The high transparency crystal ha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tessellated Stone Boxes by Maitland Smith
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pair of modernist boxes were realized by the celebrated 20th century design firm Maitland Smith in the Philippines, circa 1980. They feature two cylindrical bodies- one ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
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
New Modern Vase, in various marbles, creator Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic
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. ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Knotted Tissue Box Square Home Office Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Description: Tissue box
Color: Grey
Size: 14 x 14 x 15 H cm
Material: PU
Collection: Knotted.
Category
2010s Thai Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Faux Leather
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
Soap Holder in White and Black Marble, by Matteo Cibic, Italy in Stock
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Soap holder in white Michelangelo and black Marquinia marble.
Size: 20 x 9.8 x 3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Domenico, Homage Collection by the Italian Designer Matteo Ci...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Contemporary Handmade Aquamarine Vertical Crystal Picture Frame by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of picture frames by Ghirò Studio.
Vertical picture frame of excellent workmanship and artistic quality.
The rounded edges give harmony and elegance.
The high tran...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Blitz Marble Bookends Travertine & Coral By Greg Natale
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
Polished Black Jewel Box in Maple and Mahogany
By Agresti
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
Salta Medium Square Black Onyx Stone & Brass 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
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
Salta Large 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
Salta Round Black 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
Opulent Jay Strongwater Jeweled Enamel Wedding Keepsake Picture Frame
Located in Tustin, CA
Gorgeous handmade and hand painted cast metal decorative picture frame from the Jay Strongwater "Duchess" collection features exquisitely subtle, glossy pearl enamel work coloration,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Contemporary 'Papillon' Artistic Crystal Bowl Aquamarine by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Innovative design, fine craftsmanship and a strong artistic sense make this creation not only a bowl but a real artistic sculpture. The natural col...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Tronador Medium Mini Box, Brown Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
By AIREDELSUR
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
Shocking Pink Paperweight Art Glass Egg Controlled Bubble Tapio Wirkkala Style
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Shocking pink paperweight Tapio Wirkkala style controlled bubble art glass decorative egg design signed 1990
Unable to read signature
Attributed to ...
Category
1990s Unknown Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Contemporary 'Sail' Handmade Aquamarine Crystal Sculpture by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of decorative objects signed by Ghirò Studio (Milan).
The natural crystal has high transparencies with aquamarine reflections, it has been curved and handmade to repr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Art Glass Millefiori Collectable Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Millefiori Italian art glass paperweight
Beautiful glass art paperweight in millefiori design in various shades of blues, red and white, accenting the close concentric complex.
Mur...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
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
Wooden Christmas Tree – Large, Cedar, Juniper
Located in Orlando, FL
The JUNIPER decorative solid cedar handmade Christmas trees are simple yet elegant pieces of holiday décor, inspired by the aesthetic form of the juniper tree. Crafted from the uniqu...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
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 inches, height 2.25 inch
This piece makes for a grea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
1980s Chevron Desk Accessory Set Aachen Germany Design
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s Desk Accessory Set Aachen Germany Design
Letter Opener Scissors Pen Boxed
inscribed Chevron Land and Development Co
1.5 h x 12.5 w x 5.75 d boxed
Original vintage preowned cond...
Category
1980s German Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ghidini 1961 Medium Rabbit in Polished Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Decorative object medium in brass
"The rabbit is the latest iconic object I have designed.
For Ghidini it has turned into a family of precious metal objects: salt and pepper, paper...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Desk glass enameled handle like lapis lazuli stone Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Desk magnifing glass in 925/1000 sterling silver with fire-enameled handle like lapis lazuli stone. Contemporary modern style. Lens diameter cm. 7, total length cm. 19.5. Silver weig...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Glass Pear in Ruby
Located in Richmond, VA
Sculptural glass pear, handmade in Auckland, New Zealand by artist Devyn Ormsby. Individually cast from a true to size winter pear into a solid, crystal glass form.
The elegant pear...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Contemporary Artistic Bowl Hand Crafted Aquamarine Crystal by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
This object is a handmade artistic sculpture that can be used as a bowl, as a desk accessory, as a jewel case or simply as it is to furnish any env...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
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
Italian Photo Frame in Blue Plexiglass, Sharing Blue
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Sharing blue is a square Italian pop design picture frame in blue plexiglass of Art with Heart collection of photo frames by Laura G ,Italy. It is realized into plexiglass royal blue...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plexiglass
Contemporary 'Amber' Artistic Bowl Amber and Gold Crystal by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of artistic bowls by Ghirò Studio (Italy).
'Amber' is not only a innovative, elegant and raffinated bowl but it is a very artistic sculpture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Contemporary 'Ice' Crystal Bowl Satin Hand Engraved Unique Piece by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Collection 2021 of artistic bowls by Ghirò Studio (Milan).
Innovative design, fine craftsmanship and a strong artistic sense make this creation not only a bowl but a real artistic sculpture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Bronze Jean Arp Style Abstract Cast Sculpture Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous vintage French bronze vintage sculpture that looks like rose gold has a very Jean Arp style. It is cast bronze and was once professionally polished but now has a slight...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
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
DeCastelli Riviera Pots 1 Flower 90 Planter in Stainless Steel by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic, DeCastelli
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
Supreme x rOtring 600 3-in-1 Multicolor pen &v mechanical pencil, SS 2023, Japan
By Supreme
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
Desk Glass fired two-tone stripes enamel on guilloche hand-engraved Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Desk magnifing glass in 925/1000 sterling silver with fire-enameled handle like lapis lazuli stone. Contemporary modern style. Lens diameter cm. 7, total length cm. 19.5. Silver weig...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Trio of Lucite Sculptures Signed & Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic trio of Lucite sculptures with geometric shapes designed and manufactured by a Los Angeles artist and signed "Henry" 2017.
The pieces are beautifully executed, the inlaid ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Lucite
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
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
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry A4 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
Vintage Romeo Rega Signed Brass and Chrome-Plated Checkers Game Italian Restored
By Romeo Rega
Located in North Miami, FL
This ultra chic and modern signed vintage Italian Romeo Rega vintage checkers game has sculptural components. It is great just even as a decorative ob...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Contemporary Handmade Dark Brass Bookend HIPPOS, Ancient Greek Forms by Anaktae
By ANAKTAE
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted bookend, model "Hippos" in oxidized brass, dark oxidation.
This bookend is part of the "Althaea Series", a collection of four bookends in brass Inspired by ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Vintage Maserati Eyeglasses Titanium Black
By Maserati
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Maserati eyeglasses titanium black.
Vintage glasses maserati angular shape circa 1980s
Glasses are delivered without a case.
Have an optici...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
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
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.