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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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
Villeroy and Boch Crystal Votive Candle Holders Set of 4
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Villeroy and Boch Made in Germany New Wave Crystal Votive candle holders.
This is a gorgeous contemporary votive candle holder by Viller...
Category
20th Century German Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Reeve Crystal Bookends by Greg Natale
By Greg Natale
Located in Sydney,, NSW
Inspired by shards of ice, the Reeve Bookend is our newest bookend style. A study in decorative function, these stylish statement grabbing bookends will elegantly support your favourite coffee table...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
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
Watch Box for Five Watches in Polished Black with Ultrasuede Detail by Agresti
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box in polished wood for five watches lined in protective ultrasuede. Hinge in Ruthenium. Box only: watches are not included.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
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 Bruno Munari for Danese Rosewood Rubber Mail Stamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of five rosewood and rubber mail stamps by Bruno Munari for Danese, Italy, c.1960s. Bruno Munari was an Italian graphic artist and industrial designer ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Rubber, Rosewood
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
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
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
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
Vintage Signed Molten Bronze and Black Metal Cascading Dali, Esque Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This sensual and fabulous 2 part limited edition signed vintage sculpture is molten bronze cascading in a body form perched atop the black metal base. The bronze looks like rose gold...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Danese Milano Koro Wastepaper Basket in Black 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
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
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
Onyx Marble Box
Located in New York, NY
A small '70s modern hexagon shaped onyx box with lid, circa 1970s. Box is multicolored onyx, in a hexagon shape with lid and feet. A nice piece to hold small items on a desk, or smal...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
Italian Red Burgundy Marble Obelisks, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of red burgundy Italian modern marble Obelisks, circa 1970s, Italy. Solid red burgundy marble with grey veining. Marked on bottom, 'Made in Italy', as shown in last image. A great set for any cocktail table, mantle, bookshelf, office, library, etc. Dimensions: 8.88" Height.
For sterling silver female figurative sculpture shown, search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314230532222
French crystal box, search ref.: LU1314230536482
Pink Rhodonite box...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Contemporary Handcrafted Bookend "Keres" in Oxidized Brass by Anaktae
By ANAKTAE
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted bookend model "Keres" in oxidized brass with a curved contour.
This bookend is part of the "Proetus Series", a collection of six bookends in brass.
Variatio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Fuchsia Rabbit Door Stopper / Bookends, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fuchsia rabbit as a door stopper / bookends.
Made in Italy:
Made in Italy furniture means design, quality, style and sophistication.
The typical eleg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
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
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
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
Karl Springer Rare Adjustable Magnifying Lens in Polished Chrome 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Rare adjustable magnifying lens with beautifully crafted mount in polished chrome by Karl Springer, American 1980's.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
DeCastelli Riviera Pots 1 Flower 60 Planter in Stainless Steel by Aldo Cibic
By DeCastelli, 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
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
Agresti Black Ebony Polished Wood Box for 24 Cufflinks with Leather Detail
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Box for 24 pairs of cufflinks in black polished wood with leather handles.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Wood
Italian Black Leather Box Desk Organizer
Located in New York, NY
An Italian black leather desk box set organizer, circa late-20th century, 1970s, Florence, Italy. This desk piece organizer is black leather, comprised of five (5) boxes with lacquered wood back, brass hinges, and a center rest area (shown with car key, and small change purse...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Enzo Mari, Rare Cube Resin with Black Ball Sphere, Sculpture/Paperweight
By Enzo Mari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice modern resin cube by the very well known designer Enzo Mari, Measures in cm 7 x 7 x 7.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Thin Book Ends in Contemporary Bronze and Steel in various Patinas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Thin bookends explore a miniature variation of Kin & Company’s iconic Thin Chair. Beautifully paired with books, plants, or small accessories, the Thin ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Steel
Collection of Six Glass Multicolored Paperweights
Located in London, GB
These glass paperweights are wonderful decorative pieces which will make perfect desk accessories or collectables.
The paperweights are all slightly different in their shape and ...
Category
20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass
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
Danese Milano Bincan Fermasacchetto Bag Clip in White by Naoto Fukasawa
Located in Hicksville, NY
Danese Milano Bincan Fermasacchetto bag clip in white for Bincan wastepaper basket by Naoto Fukasawa
Naoto Fukasawa is a Japanese designer. He was born in 1956 in Yamanashi and ha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
Danese Milano Bincan Trash Wastepaper Basket in Black 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
Ghidini 1961 Omini Cards Holder in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Business cards holder in brass, ideal for holding cards.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Modern Studio Art Glass Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
Modern studio art glass paperweight in clear glass with cased white glass and controlled bubbles forming a medusa shaped element within the piec...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Arman Violins Accumulations Paperweight for Christofle, France, 1980s
By Arman, Christofle
Located in Milan, IT
Arman violins accumulations metal paperweight for Christofle, France, 1983.
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Contemporary Set of Two Handmade Aquamarine Crystal Photo Frames by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of picture frames by Ghirò Studio.
Set of two photo frames, one horizontal and one vertical, of excellent workmanship and artistic quality.
The rounded edges give har...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Small Egg Color Green, in Glass, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
The charm of the shapes is enhanced by the material with which the collection is made: glass.
Transparency, lightness and shine meet the design, transforming into sculptured object...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
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
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
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
Small Egg Color Black, in Glass, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
The charm of the shapes is enhanced by the material with which the collection is made: glass.
Transparency, lightness and shine meet the design, transforming into sculptured object...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Essenze Magnifying Glass and Letter Opener Set by Nino Basso
Located in Milan, IT
Elegant letter opener set having a sophisticated handle made of erica, the precious wood used to make luxury pipes, combined with an elegant and decorative element made of ebony wood...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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
Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver & Black 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
Onyx, Stone, Metal
Salta Medium 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
Onyx, Stone, Metal
Italian Onyx Marble Desk Paperweight Decorative Object, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A chic 1970s modern Italian geometric onyx marble desk paperweight or decorative object sculpture piece, circa 1970s, Italy. Piece is multicolored in white and neutral hues. A great piece for a desk, table, credenza, etc. Dimensions: 2" x 2.13"
Pen/pencil holder in image #3, search 1stdibs ID#: LU1314218067801 (SOLD.)
Ashtray shown (SOLD.)
Picasso book...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Marble
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
In Stock in Los Angeles, Blue Spire Candle 1001 Lights Unbreakable Spirit Scent
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Blue spire candle 1001 lights. Unbreakable spirit scent
In stock in Los Angeles
Home candle with tower design, translucent porcelain container and lid in blue and gold luster. It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Crystal Clear Votive Candle Holder by Villeroy and Boch Made in Germany
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Villeroy and Boch Made in Germany Crystal Votive candle holders.
A very beautiful contemporary clear crystal votive candle holders by Vi...
Category
20th Century German Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Contemporary Trivet/Coaster in Steel, Circle/Triangle, Modern, Minimal Geometric
Located in Stockholm, SE
Trivets in steel with small rubber pads for protection.
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Pair of Lucite Bookends
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Pair of vintage Lucite bookends made with recycle acrylic bank window protection.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic, Lucite
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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