Desk Blotter
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Leather
Vintage 1980s Italian Desk Sets
Leather
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Desk Sets
Copper, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Sets
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Desks
Chrome
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Desk Sets
Bronze
2010s French Organic Modern Sofas
2010s French Organic Modern Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Organic Modern Sofas
Wool
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Picture Frames
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1940s French Desk Accessories
Silver
Vintage 1940s French Desk Accessories
Nickel
Vintage 1970s Desk Accessories
Canvas, Leather
Vintage 1970s American Decorative Objects
Steel
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Crocodile, Leather
French Desk Accessories
Brass
2010s American Modern More Desk Accessories
Goatskin, Shagreen
2010s American Modern More Desk Accessories
Animal Skin, Goatskin, Shagreen
2010s American Modern More Desk Accessories
Goatskin, Shagreen
Early 20th Century English Desk Accessories
Antique 1890s British Victorian More Desk Accessories
1970s Italian For The Desk
Vintage 1940s French Desk Accessories
Nickel, Brass
20th Century Argentine Letter Openers
Antique Early 1900s Scottish Art Nouveau More Desk Accessories
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Malachite
Antique 19th Century English Desk Accessories
Silver
Early 20th Century English Sterling Silver
Silver
Vintage 1970s Italian More Furniture and Collectibles
Vintage 1960s Italian Desk Sets
Brass
Vintage 1970s French Desk Accessories
Canvas, Leather
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Vintage 1940s French Desk Accessories
Crystal
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Italian Desk Accessories
Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Desk Accessories
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Vintage 1930s French Desks
Macassar, Ivory, Ebony
Vintage 1940s French Modern Desk Accessories
Bronze
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desk Sets
Brass
Vintage 1970s English Desk Accessories
Brass
2010s American Desk Sets
Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Desk Accessories
20th Century Desk Accessories
Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Desk Sets
Marble
Antique 19th Century Inkwells
Early 20th Century European Desk Sets
Onyx, Bronze
Vintage 1920s English More Desk Accessories
Brass
Antique 1890s Great Britain (UK) Victorian More Desk Accessories
Silver
Vintage 1920s More Desk Accessories
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Desk Accessories
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Desk Accessories
Metal
Vintage 1940s French Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Vintage 1950s French Decorative Objects
Early 20th Century More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Vintage 1950s Italian More Furniture and Collectibles
- 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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