Desk Blotter
20th Century Swedish Hollywood Regency Desk Sets
Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Sets
Bronze
Antique 19th Century European Desk Sets
Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Sets
Bronze
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil More Desk Accessories
Wood
Vintage 1910s American Aesthetic Movement Desk Sets
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century American Empire Desk Sets
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Sets
Bronze
Vintage 1940s Art Deco Inkwells
Onyx, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Louis XVI Desk Sets
Bronze
20th Century European Letter Openers
Silver
Vintage 1910s American Arts and Crafts Desk Sets
Bronze
Vintage 1930s Danish Art Deco Inkwells
Bronze
Vintage 1930s More Desk Accessories
Gold
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Desk Sets
Glass
20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Desk Sets
Leather
Antique Late 19th Century American Hepplewhite Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Satinwood
Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Desk Sets
Leather
Antique 1860s French Victorian Decorative Boxes
Brass
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Sets
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century Louis XV Desk Sets
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Desks
Oak
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Sets
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Sets
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Inkwells
Bronze
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Vases
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Picture Frames
Bronze
2010s French Organic Modern Sofas
Iron
2010s French Organic Modern Tables
Fabric
2010s French Organic Modern Chairs
Fabric
2010s French Post-Modern Sofas
Aluminum
2010s French Organic Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s French Organic Modern Sofas
Steel
2010s French Organic Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s French Organic Modern Sofas
Upholstery
2010s French Organic Modern Sofas
Wool
2010s French Organic Modern Sofas
Aluminum
Vintage 1940s French Desk Accessories
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Inkwells
Bronze
Vintage 1930s French Desk Accessories
Leather
Early 20th Century American Desk Accessories
Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Desks
Sycamore
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desk Sets
Brass
20th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts More Desk Accessories
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Art Deco More Desk Accessories
Metal, Enamel
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desk Sets
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Brass
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Granite, Metal, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Desk Sets
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century European Belle Époque Inkwells
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
20th Century Italian Desk Accessories
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Desk Sets
Brass
- 1
Desk Blotter For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Desk Blotter?
Finding the Right Desk-accessories for You
Whether you’ve carved out a space for a nifty home office or you prefer the morning commute, why not dress up your desk with antique and vintage desk accessories? To best tiptoe the line between desk efficiency and desk enjoyment, we suggest adding a touch of the past to your modern-day space.
Desks are a funny thing. Their basic premise has remained the same for quite literally centuries: a flat surface, oftentimes a drawer, and potentially a shelf or two. However, the contents that lay upon the desk? Well, the evolution has been drastic to say the least.
Thank the Victorians for the initial popularity of the paperweight. The Industrial Revolution offered the novel concept of leisure-time to Europeans, giving them more time to take part in the then crucial activity of letter writing. Decorative glass paperweight designs were all the rage, and during the mid-19th-century some of the most popular makers included the French companies of Baccarat, St. Louis and Clichy.
As paper was exceedingly expensive in the early to mid-19th-century, every effort was made to utilize a full sheet of it. Paper knives, which gave way to the modern letter opener, were helpful for cutting paper down to an appropriate size.
Books — those bound volumes of paper, you may recall — used to be common occurrences on desks of yore and where there were books there needed to be bookends. As a luxury item, bookend designs have run the gamut from incorporating ultra-luxurious materials (think marble and Murano glass) to being whimsical desk accompaniments (animal figurines were highly popular choices).
Though the inkwell’s extinction was ushered in by the advent of the ballpoint pen (itself quasi-obsolete at this point), there is still significant charm to be had from placing one of these bauble-like objets in a central spot on one’s desk. You may be surprised to discover the mood-boosting powers an antique — and purposefully empty — inkwell can provide.
The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass-production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier.
Find antique and vintage desk accessories today on 1stDibs.
- What are desk blotters used for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Desk blotters are used to protect the top of a table or desk. It helps prevent scratches and absorbs dripped or spilled ink and paint. Desk pad is another name for a blotter. You'll find a selection of vintage and antique desk blotters on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To clean a leather desk blotter, wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Tackle heavy stains with a cleaning product designed specifically for leather. Applying leather conditioner to the blotter regularly can help to minimize cracking. You'll find a collection of vintage and antique desk blotters on 1stDibs.
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