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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Jean Filhos for Christofle Silvered Bronze Erotic Letter Opener Nude, 1974 Franc
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury silvered erotic letter opener or bookmark with nudes by the French artist Jean Filhos, (1921-2002)
This model was created as the official 1974 ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Contemporary Picture Frame Handmade Blue Crystal, Brass and Gold by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Crystal photo frame of excellent craftsmanship and artistic quality.
The crystal has been hand sculpted and has an intense and brilliant blue fi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Brass
Contemporary Handmade Aquamarine Crystal Horizontal Photo Frame by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of picture frames by Ghirò Studio.
Picture frame of excellent workmanship and artistic quality.
The rounded edges give harmony and elegance.
The high transparency ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Penshell Box by Maitland Smith
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish penshell storage box will make a great addition to your desk, or perhaps to be used simply as an object of beauty.
Note: Last image shows a small flea-bit on the unde...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Shell
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
Danese Milano Bincan Trash Wastepaper Basket in White by Naoto Fukasawa
Located in Hicksville, NY
Bincan cestino is part of the Bincan collection which was designed for the work place and can be adapted to any environment whether internal or external, public or private. This piec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
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
Danese Milano Koro Wastepaper Basket in Silver 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
Silver Chiseled Round Box, Hommage Collection, Canning Pattern
By Carole Serny
Located in VIC-LA-GARDIOLE, FR
This round box is part of the "Hommage" (tribute) collection, a line of stationery and office accessories designed and hand-manufactured by Carole Serny, whose aesthetics highlights ...
Category
2010s French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Velvet Dark Gold Rabbit Door Stopper / Bookends
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Velvet dark gold rabbit as a door stopper / bookends.
Made in Italy:
Made in Italy furniture means design, quality, style and sophistication.
The typical...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Velvet
Agresti Polished White Jewel Box in Bird's-Eye Maple with Gold-Plated Hardware
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Shiny white bird's-eye maple shiny jewel box with 24-karat pink gold hardware. Necklace on the top and removable tray.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Birdseye Maple
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
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
Kartell I Shine in Smoke by Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Apollineo Bookend 1 in Leccese Stone and Hand-Painted Ceramic
By TIPSTUDIO
Located in Florence, IT
The Apollineo collection mergs classical and contemporary elements to define a unique aesthetic inspired by Mediterranean architecture and vibes. Sun-blessed pure volumes, shapes mar...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Limestone
Stunning Solid Silver Swan Letter Opener by Sarah Jones
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful top quality letter opener by the well renowned modern silversmith, Sarah Jones.
This beautiful example has a handle created from an elegant Swan's head with it's long ...
Category
1980s British Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Nº 4 Contemporary Glazed Ceramic Pink Showtime Vase Collection by Jaime Hayon
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Showtime Vases are just as current as when we launched them over 10 years ago. They are little decorative sculptures that fully reproduce Jaime Hayon’s universe.
Made of two glazed ceramic pieces. Bi-coloured...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Burl Wood Jewelry Box with Vanity Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage oval burl wood jewelry box with hand-held vanity mirror/top, circa 20th century, Europe. A great piece for a desk, vanity, ni...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Burl
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
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
Coral Size 8 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot 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 varieties (fallen or cut down due to infrastructure or inclement weather). The trees are hand selected, gathered, turned and finished by Loyal Loot...
Category
Early 2000s Canadian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Willow
Set of 5 Contemporary white & gold Glazed Ceramic Showtime Vases by Jaime Hayon
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
Gervasoni Wind Table Fan in Handwoven Dark Pulut by Jasper Startup
By Gervasoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Family of floor or table fans that combine aesthetics and functionality, features that make them a genuine piece of furniture in their own right. Available in two sizes, S or L, they...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Aluminum
Infinity Bullecante Glass Bubble Balls or Bookends Pair of Labeled
Located in North Miami, FL
This pair of mesmerizing glass bubble/ bullecante balls have an infinity design. They have a label on the bottom that says Tani Sun Designer with SPIIS 5976. They can be glass sculpt...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Kartell I Shine in Blue by Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
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
Danese Milano Sicilia Wastepaper Basket in Stainless Steel by Bruno Munari
Located in Hicksville, NY
Sicilia is a cylinder with hexagonal base and function as a wastepaper basket. The structure is made of polished stainless steel.
Bruno Munari was one of the most important Italia...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
Danese Milano Sumatra White Paper Tray in Technopolymer by Enzo Mari
Located in Hicksville, NY
White Sumatra is a stackable letter tray made of technopolymer with rubber feet. When two or more of the trays are stacked all of the space above and below each piece can be maximize...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Rubber
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
21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade in Italy Blue Grey 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
Pair of Bookends Balls, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of bookends balls, 20th century"
Pair of Bookends forming two marble balls on a stand, 20th Century decorative object.
Category
20th Century European Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Daniel Salazar Lundberg Studios Cherry Blossom Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Lundberg Studios paperweight by Daniel Salazar.
With a lampwork cherry blossom and 3 small cherry flower buds on a branch.
Bearing a Lundbe...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
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 r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plexiglass
Unique Patek Philippe 3844 with Amazing Worldmap Dial / 4. of july !
Located in Munich, DE
A wonderful dress watch by Patek Philippe. Equipped with the geneve seal awarded hand wind caliber no.215. The dial changed to a unique look you will never find again. Really amazing...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold
Scissor, Letter Opener, Leather Desk Set
Located in Denton, TX
Gold leaf design on bankers green leather holder with nickel plated letter opener and D shaped handle forged scissors.
Category
20th Century North American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Antonio Grediaga Kieff Vintage Abstract Bronze Sculpture on Black Granite Base
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful Antonio Gediaga Kieff abstract bronze sculpture is a limited edition. It is signed Kieff 2/6. The bronze has all been polished and sits on a black granite base all ori...
Category
1970s Canadian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Granite, Bronze
Humidor in Black Polished Ebony Avana Nera by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Humidor for 100 cigars in ebony polished. Cedar lining. Two humidification units and hygrometer. Removable tray.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cedar, Ebony
Mahjong Game Board in Black Polished Ebony Passione Di Gioco by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Ebony polished mahjong with ruthenium brass parts.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ebony
Multigame Set in Black Polished Ebony Notte Di Giochi by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Polished ebony multigame. Contents chess, backgammon, dice, domino, playing cards and poker chips.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ebony
Italian Obelisks Pyramids Decorative Objects, Set
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of two (2) pyramid Obelisks, in the Modern style, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Pyramids are wood, wrapped in hand designed Italian paper; One is a combination of wh...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plaster, Paper, Wood
Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Cream Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beatiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, moustly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library.
Our pieces are made by hand. One ...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Kartell U Shine Vase in Smoke by Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Set Tronador Medium Mini Boxes, 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
Lemon Size 8 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
Reclaimed Wood, Willow, Wood
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
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 Maiorca White Pencil & Paperclip Aluminum Holder by Bruno Munari
Located in Hicksville, NY
White 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
Carl Aubock Set of Smoking Accessories
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass and Wicker Wrapped pipe stand (Or Paperweight) with two brass spoon rests.
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Agresti Polished Black Jewel Box with Gold-Plated Hardware
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewel box in polished ebony. Lockable by key and with the necklace bar on the top and a removable tray inside. All the hardware is 24-karat pink gold-plated.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Plate
Gourmet Square Wood Trivet, by Gunnar Cyren from Warm Nordic
By Gunnar Cyren
Located in Viby J, DK
Beautiful walnut and oak trivets with delicate carvings. Trivets were originally designed in the 1970s by the highly acclaimed Swedish designer, Gunnar Cyren as part of the Gourmet Wood range, and are now being manufactured again by Warm Nordic. Their harmonious design and consummate quality make these wooden trivets perfect for both everyday meals and more festive occasions. The carvings lend the trivets a touch of character and have a life of their own in the form of swaying trees, sprouting hearts and abstract animals, depending on which way you look at them. Gunnar Cyren's Trivets also look attractive on the kitchen worktop...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Salta Large 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
Onyx, Stone, Metal
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
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4.25 inches, width 3.25 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Kartell U Shine Vase in Green by Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Kartell U Shine Vase in Crystal by Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Eugeni Quitllet designs a precious collection of decorative vases made of transparent PMMA. The line is composed of a vase and a table centre, distinctive for their elegant geometry ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4.75 inches, width 4.25 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Contemporary Handcrafted Geometric Bookend "Tropi 1" in Solid Marble by Anaktae
By ANAKTAE
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary handcrafted geometric bookend "Tropi 1" in solid marble.
Each bookend is composed of two geometric pieces of solid marble fused togeth...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
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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