Desk Accessories
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Desk Accessories For Sale
Cartier Luxury Red Chinese Dragons Design Card and Envelope Desk Stationery
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Red Chinese Dragons Jewelry Design.
Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope R...
Category
20th Century French Chinoiserie Desk Accessories
Materials
Paper
Late 19th Century Large Walnut Carved Desk Letter/Stationery Rack
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A large antique letter rack, made of carved wood. The wickerwork is also made of carved wood. With three compartments. Made in France around 1890-1...
Category
1890s French Regency Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Rare Asprey
Co. London Oak
Tooled Green Leather Pop-Up Writing Desk 1920s
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare Luxurious, Asprey & Co. London (Royal Warrant) Oak & Tooled Racing Green Leather Pop-Up Writing Table Made in England in the 1920s.
Item is sold complete with a Burgundy tooled red leather desk set also from Aspreys. It's a very attractive item befit with an aluminium desk calendar, letter opener and two vertical pen rests.
The rectangular and hinged two panel top encloses a green leather writing surface which reveals itself when opened from the top, item is raised on square tapering legs.
Desk comes with two original large glass inkwells...
Category
1920s English Edwardian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Mahogany, Leather, Oak
New Modern Cigarettes and Cigar Ashtray in Black Marble, creator Chiossi Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Tuscan sculptor Michele Chiossi, has found in marble a medium to describe modernity with its myths and symbols, creating the Contemporary collection. An emoji can be a tray; an emoji heart, not necessarily pierced by an arrow, can be a place of creativity in the kitchen, a chopping board or a working surface; a dash; a zigzag; granting the marble a moment of levity, becoming vertical in a vase; reflecting an ideal image of ourselves. Unique objects to be experienced as a couple, to gift to friends, jewels of our daily lives.
Time and smoke pass, ashtrays remain. As everlasting as marble, as elegant as a concentric circle of smoke spreading through the air. Chiossi revisits the most Classic of living room...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Ocean Green Murano Glass Angel Fish By Archimede Seguso, Italy 1970
s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Superbly crafted hand blown angel fish by Archimede Seguso, Murano, Italy
Circa 1970's
Signed with original label on base
Height 4 inch, Width 2.25 inch, Depth 5.5inch
In very good...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Antique English Victorian Bramah Leather Fold-out Stationary Writing Desk
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful
Luxurious Handcrafted Victorian Bramah Fold-out Travelling Writing Companion With Fitted Leather Interior, Ceramic Blotting Tablets.
Complete with Beautifully Desi...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
$4,870 Sale Price
34% Off
33 Pieces Furniture Handle, circa 1960
Located in Wien, AT
Furniture handle
33 pieces
Original condition
Sold and price per piece.
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
$35 / item
Tiffany Studios New York Chinese Pattern Large Bronze Inkwell, Circa 1910
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Chinese" pattern gilt bronze inkwell
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 6.25"W x 6.25"D x 4....
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Avatar UR Abalone Green Fountain Pen
By Pineider
Located in Milan, IT
Thanks to 3D engineering and high precision manufacturing, the pen is assembled without using a single drop of glue. Transparency allows one not only to see the pen's mechanism but a...
Category
2010s Italian Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
$285 / item
Unique Vintage Art Glass
Located in Fairfield, CA
A beautiful vintage art glass featuring a variety of techniques and controlled bubbles to create a unique design.
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Contemporary
Dumbbell
Aquamarine Crystal Handmade in Italy by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
2021 Collection of decorative objects by Ghiro Studio (Milan, Italy).
Each ‘Dumbbell’ sculpture is a unique piece. It is handmade with the utmost care and attention to detail.
It...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Mid-Century Functional Tesla Phone 1971
Located in Praha, CZ
For sale is a mid-century phone, original vintage condition, elegant black glossy design, great addition to your collection
Category
1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bakelite
CAITHNESS - High Seas - Blue Swirl Glass Paperweight - U.K. - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
CAITHNESS (Manufacturer) - High Seas (Collection) - H87830 (Identification Number) - Vintage art glass paperweight - striking design - si...
Category
Late 20th Century Scottish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Antique Regency Campaign Writing Slope Brass Mounts, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An elegant Regency brass mounted Gonçalo Alves campaign writing slope, circa 1820 in date.
The beautifully polished goncalo alves case has a ...
Category
1820s Regency Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Rare Antique Mid-19th C Veuve Perrin French France Pottery Inkwell
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rare Antique Mid-19th C Veuve Perrin French France Pottery Inkwell
Category
Mid-19th Century French Provincial Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Faience
Murano Blue Orange Ribbons Controlled Bubbles Italian Art Glass Egg Paperweight
By Venini, Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and colorful vintage Murano hand blown blue, orange, white and bubbles Italian art glass egg shaped paperweight. Created in the manner...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$488 Sale Price
24% Off
Complete Collection Gilt Leather Bound Book Set
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Gilt leather bound sturdy / library room complete collection set. The set include twenty 28 volumes. Funk & Wagnalls, New Encyclopedia. Each book is in gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Paper
$2,745 / set
Fornasetti paper weight 1962 Zodiac calendar
Located in London, GB
Rare Fornasetti porcelain paperweight with Zodiac calendar c1962
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Huge Pair of Vintage Polished Brass Duck Bookends by Sarreid Ltd.
Located in Houston, TX
Large pair of Hollywood Regency polished brass bookends by Sarreid Ltd. This handsome pair of brass bookends is the largest size we have seen. Dimensions: 10" H, 7.25" D and 5.5" W. They are in great condition and date to the 1960s. This pair of Sarried brass...
Category
1960s Spanish Hollywood Regency Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Wild Coffee Tree Sculpture with Metal Base, Unique Piece, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2)
Wild coffee tree sculpture with metal base, decorative object.
A...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Leather Basket by Lancel Paris, Signed and Made in Italy
By Lancel Paris
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This basket, or trash can, is signed Lancel Paris underneath, and has been made in Italy in the 1970's.
The leather as a beautiful old patina.
It is in good condition.
Category
1970s French Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
$430 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Belgian Blue Stone Doorstop
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century Belgian Blue Stone Doorstop. This sculptural doorstop, crafted from dense Belgian blue stone in the 19th century, embodies the understated strength and natural beauty of...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone
Fratelli Toso Murano Antique Millefiori Flowers Italian Art Glass Cabinet Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful antique Murano hand blown Millefiori Murrina flower mosaic Italian art glass decorative ornate handle cabinet vase / pitcher. Documented to the Fratelli Toso company, circa 1910-1930. The vase has an early design and unusual white backgrounds on the murrines. The vase has a scramble / all over design with a rainbow of colors in the flower designs. It has very large size murrines, with some unusual designs, including bullseye and a large rainbow...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
$1,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Tiffany Zodiac large Letter box holder and large blotter ends Arts and Crafts
Located in Mobile, AL
Tiffany Studios American Arts and Crafts style patinated letter box and blotter ends. This set retains significant green and red patina and over the years had accumulated some black...
Category
1910s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
$1,036 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Vintage Porcelain Floral Desk Set by Neiman Marcus with Letter Opener and Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Porcelain Floral Desk Set by Neiman Marcus with Letter Opener and Tray. A very nice two-piece brass and porcelain desk set, circa 1970s. The set is...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Tiffany Studios Bronze Desk Lamp on Circular Fluted Base, New York. Circa 1920
Located in Charleston, SC
Tiffany Studios bronze desk lamp with original iridescent shade, scrolled bulbous harp, and resting on circular fluted base with the original five bal...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Wire
Antique Initial Stamp F.J, Art Nouveau, circa 1910
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful and authentically preserved stamp for sealing wax with the initials F.J
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Large Chinese Export Carved Soapstone Foo Dog Scholars Seal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese export carved soapstone foo dog scholars seal, nicely carved, in two color soapstone, with large seal at base.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Desk Accessories
Materials
Soapstone
$380 Sale Price
20% Off
Handmade Big Decorative Paperweight Cube in Satin White Carrara Marble
By Fiammetta V.
Located in Carrara, IT
Big decorative paperweight cube full in satin white Carrara marble. Each piece is in a way unique (every marble block is different in veins and shades) and handmade by Italian artisa...
Category
2010s Italian Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Large Painted Plexiglas Terrestrial Globe, France circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Important relief earth globe representing the oceans and the continents.
The globe is made of painted plexiglas, fixed to the marble base by a brass axis. France around 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Brass
FORNASETTI Umbrella Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian metal umbrella stand, featuring a design of casa con colonne on the outer cover. The interior is green, and the top is accented with a brass rim, with original alumin...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Toleware Painted Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French hand painted toleware tray of the Napoleon the III era, circa 1850's. The hand-painted French metal tray is decorated with flowers and leaves o...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Antique French Bronze
Polished Marble Egyptian Revival Pocket Watch Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique pocket watch stand is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from France and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Egypt...
Category
Early 20th Century French Egyptian Revival Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Venetian Antique Silver Flecks Orange Flower Italian Art Glass Fan Card Holder
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful antique Venetian early Murano hand blown silver flecks with orange decorative design and applied foot card holder. The piece has a beautiful Spanish fan shape, with melting...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Cartier Iconic Panther Design Card and Envelope Set Luxury Desk Stationery
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Panther Jewelry Design.
Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope Black Panther, limited edition Desk Accessory.
Embo...
Category
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Paper
Fantastic 19th Century French Dore Bronze Mounted Black Crystal Hinged Box
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Mounted Black Crystal Box. The box is composed of two sections of French black crystal wh...
Category
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Gio Ponti Ceramic pen tray Bijenkorf Italy 1969
By Gio Ponti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This rare and decorative pen tray, designed by Gio Ponti for Ceramiche Joo in Milano in 1956, is a remarkable piece of design history with a unique connection to one of Ponti’s archi...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Set Of Two Travertine Elephant Sculptures Desk Organizer by Fratelli Mannelli
Located in München, BY
Set of two travertine elephant sculptures as desk organizers by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy, 1970s.
A beautiful elephant-shaped letter holder and paperweight. Good condition, undamaged...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Travertine
Asprey Art Deco Sterling Silver
Shagreen Magnifying Glass
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent magnifying glass by the creme de la creme of English retailer's, Asprey of Bond Street, London. The silver is fully hallmarked for London 1928 together with the maker's mark W.M. The silver is also signed "Asprey London".
Excellent antique condition with minor wear commensurate with age measuring 7 3/4" x 3 5/8" x 5/8". A slight wobble to the magnifier due to the traditional pinned construction rather than glued, mentioned purely for accuracy.
The handle is made from polished Shagreen, a leather made from sharkskin or the skin of a Stingray. This type of Shagreen was first made popular by Jean-Claude Galluchat (d1774) a master leather worker in the Court of Louis XV in France. It became a fashion amongst the French aristocracy and later throughout Europe. Shagreen is derived from the French word “Chagrin”.
Asprey is a British retailer of jewellery, leather, silver and other luxury goods. Founded in 1781, the House has historically been recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury goods brands and has a substantial client base of members of royalty, heads of state and important actors on the world stage.
For over two centuries, Asprey has been regarded as a top British luxury lifestyle brand and the Bruton Street Flagship Store is considered a must see London destination.
Asprey’s broad product assortment includes jewellery, leather goods, accessories, silver, watches, clocks, first edition...
Category
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian Calling Card Case, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Victorian Calling Card Case, Germany ca. 1900
This rare and beautifully crafted Victorian calling card case features a polished horn cover with intricately inlaid bone details depicting a stag with two hunting dogs. The interior is lined with its original vibrant orange velvet, complete with matching velvet straps to hold the cards securely in place. This piece is a true collector’s item and a fine example of 19th-century craftsmanship — a striking addition to any collection of antique writing...
Category
Early 20th Century German Victorian Desk Accessories
Materials
Antler, Textile
Murano Sommerso Orb Blue Art Glass Vintage Ashtray Italy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian handblown art glass bowl or ashtray.
Italian Murano Sommerso orb blue and clear art glass ashtray
Extremely hard to fi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Blown Glass
Porcelain Jewelry Dish Rosenthal Studio-Line by Designer Raymond Peynet
Located in New York, NY
A German white porcelain jewelry dish with whimsical design by designer Raymond Peynet for Rosenthal Studio-Line, Midcentury Modern period, circa mid-20th century, Germany. Dish show...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Pattern Bronze Doré Pen Tray
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze "Zodiac" pattern pen tray
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Priests of Pallas Festival Kansas City Chinese Cloisonné Card Tray, 1906
Located in Bishop
s Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and scarce Chinese attributed Art Nouveau cloisonné card tray made for the Priests of Pallas Festival in Kansas City in 1906. The Festival wa...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Art Nouveau Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Underwood Vintage Manual Typewriter
By Underwood Universal
Located in Pasadena, TX
Underwood ” Vintage manual typewriter
The Underwood Typewriter Company was a manufacturer of typewriters headquartered in New Yor...
Category
1940s North American Industrial Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
$400 Sale Price
20% Off
Hafod Grange 1997 Dandelion Paperweight – Nature Encased in Crystal Sphere
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite 1997 Hafod Grange paperweight beautifully encases a delicate dandelion seed head within a perfectly clear crystal sphere, creating a stunning display of nature's fragi...
Category
1990s English Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Victorian Glass and Sterling Silver Match Striker / Paperweight
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and glass match striker; an addition to our ornamental collection.
This exceptional antique silver and glass match striker has a globular form.
The surface of the glass body is embellished with a serrated texture which composes a match striker.
The ornamentation to the glass body is segmented with plain subtly concave vertical flutes.
The upper portion of this antique glass match striker...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Rugged Petrified Wood Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice vintage rugged petrified wood paper weight, circa old! The piece is in very good condition with wonderful brown and tan colors and measures 4.75"W x 3.75"D x 3.5"H. Cool...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Congolese Mid-Century Modern Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Petrified Wood
Post-Modern Solid Teak Danish Style Desk Tray "6500" Series by Eldon
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-Modern solid teak Danish style desk tray "6500" Series by Eldon, circa 1980s. The tray is in good vintage condition and measures approximately 11.5"W x 2.25"D x 17.25"L. The tray is heavy, solid teak and is marked with the Eldon "Woodline 6500...
Category
Late 20th Century Thai Post-Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Crystal Owl Paperweight by Baccarat of France
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This elegant paperweight was realized by Baccarat- one of the world's finest makers of crystal products since 1765 in France, circa 1960. Artisanally created in translucent crystal, ...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Handsome Large Antique Wooden Black Forest Dog Inkwell c.1890
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful and very large example of a figural Black Forest inkwell in the form of a Dog's head, with a beautiful bright patina.
He retains his original large glass eyes, without d...
Category
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Fruitwood
$1,312 Sale Price
20% Off
Cartier Paris Panther Design Card and Envelope Luxury Set Desk Stationery
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Paris Card and Envelope Set of 9 with the Iconic Panther Jewelry Design.
Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope Black Pan...
Category
Late 20th Century French Anglo-Indian Desk Accessories
Materials
Paper
Antique Cartographer
s Instrument Set, English, Surveyor
s Tool Case, circa 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cartographer's instrument set. An English, silver nickel surveyor's tool case, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
An attract...
Category
Early 20th Century British Desk Accessories
Materials
Nickel
Ceramic Box, 1960s Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glaze ceramic box made in Italy, circa 1970s. Slime green glaze along the top with an orange ring around the edge of the lid. Base is painted a matte brown. Green glaze covers the in...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic
Charming Pocket Watch Stand in the shape of an Elephant. Art Deco, 1930s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Very charming Pocket Watch Stand in the shape of an Elephant in Art Deco from the 1930s. The elephant is made of bronze and stands on a onyx base.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Inkwell in red marble with "Allegory of writing" in gilt bronze, signed H.CHAPU
By Henri Chapu
Located in Paris, FR
Inkwell in red Griotte marble and gilt bronze representing an allegory of writing by Henri Chapu (1833-1891). This old 19th century inkstand is ...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Carl Auböck Up to Three Midcentury Polished Brass Card Holder, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
*Actually up to three pieces available*
A beautiful card stand, made of polished brass, designed and executed in the 1950s by Carl Auböck, Austria. To be used for business cards, fol...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Blotter Ends With Leather Desk Blotter
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Arts & Crafts period bronze blotter ends featuring symbols of the Zodiac with a custom black leather desk blotter
By Tiffany Studios
New York, USA, E...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Business Card Holder, Stand in Brass, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rather practical 1950s British novelty item. Intended for displaying/presenting business cards on your office desk or in your shop. Its made entirely f...
Category
1950s European Victorian Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Pair of Neoclassical Rock Crystal Spheres on Bronze Bases
Located in Cypress, CA
Impressive pair of hand-carved and hand polished rock crystal spheres on bronze dolphin bases, second half of 20th century.
The diameter of the rock crystal sphere is 7.5 inches.
...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Materials
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Antique, New and Vintage Desk Accessories
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.