Desk Accessories
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Desk Accessories For Sale
Mid-Century Curved Leather Italian Picture Frame, Adnet, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous and large photo frame fully made in a fantastic Italian pleated leather. This charming object was hand-made in Italy during the 1970s clearly in the style of Jacques Adnet d...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Glass
Landers, Frary
Clark Cast Iron Coffee Grinder/Mill
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a large and heavy Landers, Frary & Clark cast iron coffee grinder#20 1/2. It has a bell shaped nickel hopper with a flat wood lid and two...
Category
Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Iron, Nickel
$1,268 Sale Price
20% Off
Dunhill Gemline 14k Gold Plated Boxed Fountain Pen With Engine Turned Decoration
By Dunhill
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Dunhill Gemline 14k Gold Plated Fountain Pen With An Engine Turned Decoration With Enamel Inset Clip With Original Grey Dunhill Box
Writes really well with executed with excellent D...
Category
20th Century Swiss Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel
$569 Sale Price
28% Off
Mid Century Brass Globe Cigarette Holder
Ashtray Office Desk Accessory Caddy
Located in San Diego, CA
Brass figural globe cigarette holder and ashtray caddy, circa 1950s. Would make a great office desk accessory. Wonderful midcentury design. Nic...
Category
Mid-20th Century Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
$520 Sale Price
20% Off
Postmodern Black Marble Desk Pen Pencil Holder, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
A '90s Postmodern black and brown polished marble stone desk pen pencil holder, circa 1990s.
Dimensions: 2.5" square x 4.19" height.
Matching...
Category
1990s European Post-Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Marble
$380 Sale Price
20% Off
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Nickel Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Nickel Hook.
Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Nickel, Brass
$415 / item
Anemometer 1950 Coal Mining Vintage Science Equipment in Brass and Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Mechanical desk anemometer in brass.
Very interesting scientific coal mining anemometer, made up back in the 1950's with brass and blackened steel parts...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
$409 Sale Price
30% Off
English Brass Yacht Binnacle Mounted on Mahogany Rope Base, Southampton. C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
English Nautical brass yacht binnacle mounted on a mahogany rope base with an oval glass viewing port, gimballed compass, central carrying ring, and the original brass vented side li...
Category
1870s English Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Pair of Art Deco Bronze Bird Figures on Black Marble Bases
Located in Barcelona, ES
Unmatching pair of bronze dove bird sculptures or paperweights. France, 1930s
Art Deco sitting dove bird and standing dove bird figurines on black marble pedestals.
Measures:
Sta...
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Pine Needle Bronze Doré and Slag Glass Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze and slag glass "Pine Needle" pattern inkwell
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
20th Mid-century Red Laminate
Steel Playing Dice Paperweight, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Paperweight made of massive steel in a playing die shape.
The play dice rests on one of its corners on a steel base. This base is attached to a red laminate circle typical of its era...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
$134 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Inkwell, Gilded Bronze, Antique Desk Utensil, Vase-Shaped, Pen Tray
Located in Greven, DE
Antique inkwell made from bronze, gilded.
Very good condition of the bronze work.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Bronze
Leather Tray, Small Square Tray, Handmade - Color: Vanilla
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays
For various purposes, the Monochrome Collection Trays can be used individually or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so feel free to get creative an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
English Edwardian Brass Fox Letter Holder
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century English Edwardian letter holder combines utility with charm, showcasing a beautifully cast brass fox mid-leap, its form brimming with energy and detail. Frame...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Antique Nautical Rolling Ruler, English, Maritime, Draughtsman, Captain Field
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique nautical rolling ruler. An English, ebony maritime or draughtsman's instrument of the Captain Field's Improved type, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 190...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Desk Accessory "Nevada" Molded Glass, Le Corbusier for Lumax 1950s
By Lumax, Le Corbusier
Located in Örebro, SE
Desk accessory "Nevada" molded glass and original leather strap, Le Corbusier for Lumax 1950s.
Signed "Nevada".
Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use.
...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Glass
Pair Italian Neoclassical Grand Tour Sienna Marble Souvenirs of Temple Ruins
Located in New York, NY
A very fine and early pair of Roman Neoclassical Period Grand Tour Sienna marble models of the Temple of Castor and Pollux and the temple o...
Category
1820s Italian Greco Roman Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Siena Marble
Scandinavian Modern Teak Wood Box
Located in New York, NY
A round Scandinavian Modern teak wood box with lid, circa mid-20th century, Scandinavia. A great piece for a desk, vanity, closet area, etc. Dimensio...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Teak, Wood
Tiffany
Co Crystal Art Glass Modern Faceted Diamond Paperweight Sculpture
By Tiffany
Co.
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Tiffany & Co. crystal art glass faceted diamond form paperweight sculpture with original box. The paperweight marked Tiffany & Co.
Dimensions: 3 3/4" L x 3" x 3"
Condition: Please ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Hollywood Regency Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Rare Inkwell in Carved Crystal and Worked Silver by Lucien Gaillard
By Lucien Gaillard
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful inkstand in carved crystal, with frame and cover in embossed silver.
Signed by Lucien Gaillard (1861-1942), 107 rue La Boétie, Paris.
Lucien Gaillard arises from silve...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal, Silver
Danish Modern Desk Organizer / Letter Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional Danish modern cherry veneer desk organizer / letter tray, circa 1970s. The piece is in excellent condition and measures 24" wide, 9.25" deep and 7" high. Beautiful ch...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cherry
Antique Glass and English Sterling Silver Match Striker / Paperweight
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver and glass match striker; an addition to our ornamental coll...
Category
1910s English Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique 20th Century English Solid Silver
Enamel Desk Accessory Set c.1912
By WILLIAM HORNBY, LONDON (1898-1913), Kendall
Co.
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 20th Century English gilt solid silver and enamel desk set, comprising a pencil, letter opener, and small knife. Each piece is decorated with inlaid white enamel, with the pe...
Category
20th Century British Other Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Enamel
German Designer, Complete Writing Set, 1930s/40s
Located in København, Copenhagen
German designer, complete writing set with inkwell, letter holder, wax seal and a letter knife.
Approx. 1930/40s.
In excellent condition.
Letter knife with small chip.
A glass in...
Category
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Victorian Paperweight Hand like Odd Fellows Sign or Haunted House Addams Family
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful very old professional office relic with a cheeky message; Hands off! Private papers. Reminiscent of the odd fellows Victorian Era designs. Created from some kind of powdere...
Category
1890s American Late Victorian Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Slate
8 Foot Tall Pop Art Wood Pencil, 1970s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Back to the drawing board! A remarkable piece for spurring conversation at home or for capturing attention in a store display. This massive vintage trompe l'oeil pencil is made of on...
Category
1970s American Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Cartier Paris London 1905 Belle Epoque Enamel Desk Clock 18kt Gold
Platinum
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Belle epoque desk clock designed by Cartier.
An impressive and magnificent "mignonette" desk clock, created in Paris France by the house of Cartier, during the Edwardian Belle Epoque period, back in the 1905. This stunning piece is very rare and has been designed with neoclassic French patterns and carefully crafted with parts made up in yellow gold of 18 karats, silver and platinum. It is mounted with four spherical parts, carved from green chrysoprase. The five sides are embellished with applications of vivid purple enamel over a sunburst and linear guilloche ground and the borders are accented with a linear frame of white champleve enamel. Fitted in the reverse with a system to open and close the three winding parts to manipulate.
Movement: Mechanical 8 days, key winding and It is accompanied with the associated original key.
Dial: White ceramic, with Arabic black numerals, with gold indexes batons for the seconds and gold hands with juxtaposed circles ending on arrowhead, inscribed, Cartier Paris-London.
Diamonds: The platinum part on top is mount, with 60 calibrated Old European rose cuts diamonds, 0.30 carats, F color, VS-1 clarity
Chrysoprase: Mounted with screws on the base, with 4 four spherical cabochon cuts carved from natural translucent green chrysoprase with a weight of 8 carats.
Weight: 272.8 Grams, (174.87 Dwt).
Measurements: 69 mm by 50 mm by 37 mm (2.72 x 1.97 x 1.46 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks, the mark of the boar for the silver and the gold assay and warranty, the maker's mark for Eugène Bako inside a lozenge cartouche, the case numbers, the Cartier serial numbers and signed at the bottom, "CARTIER LONDON PARIS 2027,11290,11453,21".
Literature: Olivier Bachet & Alain Cartier, Cartier Exceptional objects, Palais Royal 2021, Volume 1, Pp-117 and 128, for two similar Illustrated, see figures.
Comparative Literature: Hans Nadelhoffer, Cartier, Jewelers Extraordinary, London, 1984, pl.18 Barracca, Negretti & Nencini, Le Temps de Cartier, Milan, 1989, p.34 A Cartier carriage clock of very closely related design was sold Antiquorum Geneva, The Magical Art of Cartier, 19 November 1996, lot 36 (illustrated in its travel case in Nadelhoffer). The dial design may be compared with other Cartier desk clocks of this period illustrated in Barracca et al.
Publications: Published in the Vogue Art...
Category
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Platinum, Silver, Enamel
$26,589 Sale Price
30% Off
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
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Tiffany
Co. Elegant Reptilian Folding Desk Clock with Fired Dial from 1929
By Tiffany
Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Tiffany & Co. Travel Clock
STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Folding Clock
METAL / MATERIAL: Articulated Folded Frame / Original Reptilian S...
Category
1920s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Animal Skin
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
Édouard Marcel Sandoz letter opener of a silver-plated fish
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Édouard Marcel Sandoz Silver Fish Letter Opener
Édouard Marcel Sandoz's Art Deco letter opener is a unique piece distinguished by its ingenious silver fish design. The piece is craft...
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Sculpture of a Stylized Cat Designed by Livio Seguso for Graal Glass
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Sculpture of a Stylized Cat Designed by Livio Seguso ca. 1970s
A cute sculpture of a stylized cat in smoke grey glass. Hand made in the Gral glass manufactory, Germany. It was desig...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4329 Polished Brass Hook.
Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or p...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
$349 / item
Early Villeroy
Boch Stoneware Inkstand
Located in Forney, TX
An extremely scarce early Villeroy & Boch pottery deskset stand. The pristine German antique, circa 1860, was masterfully handcrafted in Mett...
Category
19th Century German Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Pottery
Austrian Ormolu Dog Motif Letter Opener, Circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Austrian Ormolu dog motif letter opener, Circa 1900, With subtle art nouveau influences, the well cast ormolu letter opener, rests on either side or upright...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Desk Accessories
Materials
Ormolu
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Edgar Brandt (1880-1960) Bronze Writing Case
By Edgar Brandt
Located in London, GB
A decorative bronze writing case by legendary French Art Deco metal worker Edgar Brandt (1880-1960).
Constructed of bronze and signed with a serial number verso.
The case can be ...
Category
1930s Art Deco Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
1900s Brass Bakelite Magnetic Topographer Compass Surveyor Measurement Instrumen
Located in Milan, IT
Magnetic topographer compass from the early 1900s, brass and bakelite base; instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane, marking with its tip th...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
French Tole Split Wire Early 20th Century Trash Can with Liner
Located in Hudson, NY
This very rare survivor or the early years of the 20th century was purchased in France at the Paris Flea market and remains in very good condition for being approximate 100 years old...
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Modernist Solid Oak Pencil / Pen Holder, USA, 1970
s
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Modernist Solid Oak Pencil / Pen Holder, USA, 1970's.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Oak
$200 Sale Price
20% Off
Back Light Chess Board with Cubic Colorful Chess Pieces
Located in Naucalpan, Edo de Mex
This chess belongs to the Board Games collection designed by Orfeo Quagliata.
Exclusive techniques from the artist. 100% handmade with highest quality m...
Category
2010s Mexican Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
Small naturalistic desk set with rabbit and barrels made of patinated metal
Located in Greven, DE
Desk Set with Hare and Barrels
Origin: Probably Germany or France
Material: Patinated and partially gilt bronze
Date: Late 19th century (c. 1880–1900)
Dimensions:
H × W × D: approx...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Pineapple Sculptural Solid Brass Letter Opener
By Tiffany
Co.
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Pineapple Solid Brass Letter Opener
7.75 long x 1 w x .13 thick
Original vintage preowned condition
Refer to images
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Enticing Berry Red Stemmed Fruit Crystal Perfume Bottle, England 1980
s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Delicious berry red 'Stemmed Fruit' crystal perfume bottle with a clear crystal stopper
A desirable piece of contemporary counter-balanced glass art
Created by Ian Hankey for Teign V...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Typewriter Olympia Progress, Germany, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Typewriter by Olympia-Progress, designed by Johannes Kruger in the 1930s, in Germany.
Very good original condition.
Fully functional.
Category
1930s German Industrial Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Carl Aubock Mid-Century Horn Desk Pen
Pencil Holder Cup, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative handmade desk pen and pencil cup holder from the 1950s. Designed and manufactured by Werkstätte Carl Aubock, workshop in Vienna / Austri...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Horn
Nickel - plated Auböck ring holder around 1950 ( signed )
Located in Wien, AT
Nickel - plated Auböck ring holder around 1950 ( signed )
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Nickel
New Brush Stand Solid Wenge Wood Large Holds 16
Located in Somis, CA
Our calligraphy brush stands are made of solid wenge wood, a prized, sustainable, exotic wood with beautiful grains. Top of the stands are deco...
Category
2010s Chinese Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Wenge
$85 Sale Price / item
37% Off
French Early 19th Century Louis XV St. Sèvres Porcelain and Ormolu Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and exceptionally high quality French early 19th century Louis XV st. Sèvres Porcelain and ormolu inkwell, signed Sèvres. The inkwell is raised by striking pierced scrolled foliate ormolu movements in a most decorative satin and burnished finished. At the center is the finely detailed Sèvres Porcelain tray...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Ormolu
Vintage Art Deco Vanity Set, circa 1930s
Located in Chicago, IL
This charming set of brushes and jars was once used by a well-to-do lady to store her cosmetics and maintain an elegant updo hairstyle. Also known as a toilet service...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver, Enamel
$580 / set
Heintz Arts
Crafts Sterling Silver on Bronze Inkwell
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period sterling silver on bronze inkwell
By Heintz Art Metal Shop
USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 5.38"W x 5.38"D x 2.5"H
Good orig...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze, Sterling Silver
Calipso Pen Holder in Black Lacquered Wood with Corno Italiano Inlays, Mod 5305s
Located in Recanati, Macerata
An elegant addition to an executive desk, our Calipso pen holder showcases a rectangular silhouette in glossy black lacquered wood, accented with a distinctive rim in Corno Italiano,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Desk Accessories
Materials
Chrome
Stylized Sterling Modernism Trinket Bowl by Juvento Lopez Reyes, Mexico
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stylized sterling modernism trinket Bowl by Juvento Lopez Reyes, Mexico.. In keeping with the modernist style, it has a clean and sleek design. No etching or work, just an edgy and m...
Category
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Antique Vintage Kodak Wooden Trimming Board by Eastman
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique vintage kodak wooden trimming board by Eastman. The wooden cutting surface measures 6 inches tall by 5 inches wide by 3/4 inches tall. Some of the original writing can be seen on the surface of the board and the ruler on the top is visible. This board was used for trimming photographs. Beautiful and interesting piece for your use or library decor...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
$96 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Leather and Brass Desk Set Brass Letter Opener and Scissors 1950s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Leather and Brass Desk Set Brass Letter Opener and Scissors 1940s.
Italian desk set scissors and letter opener with leather black pouch.
Classic and traditional luxury desk l...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal, Brass
21° Century Italian Sterling Silver Ballpoint Pen
Located in VALENZA, IT
Biro in argento massiccio, completamente lavorata a mano e incisa con volute barocche.
La cura con cui è stata realizzata questa penna biro ne denota l'esperienza e la mano d'artist...
Category
2010s Italian Other Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
$720 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Style WMF Art Nouveau Punch Bowl Pewter with Levers and Organic Details
Located in Verviers, BE
Style WMF Art Nouveau Punch Bowl Pewter with Levers and Organic Details
Pewter with Organic style details
With original Patina on all the parts.
We Prefer to sell our items in 'uncl...
Category
1950s German Art Nouveau Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Pewter
French
Les Deux Rats Et L
Oeuf
Marble Mounted Bronze Inkwell
Located in Bishop
s Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique French novelty bronze inkwell modeled as 'Les deux rats et l'oeuf' mounted on a red veined marble base and dating from the latter 19th century. The inkwell is based on the...
Category
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Multi Faceted Brilliant Crystal Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 3 inch Crystal Paper weight with many facets. The piece is heavy and will hold down important papers, yet it's faceted surface with many cuts allows the piece to be a decorative p...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Art Deco Photo Frame in Silver and Mother of Pearl Mosaic , Wisdom
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Wisdom is an Art Deco photo frame mosaic in mother-of-pearl and golden silver. The gorgeous photo frame for table is handcrafted in Italy and it is a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Fountain pen, Ballpoint pen
Tray for Desk Set enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular tray with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with hand-painted fired enamel like turquoise stone, cm. 9.5 x 18. For fountain pen (4577-5210) with 18 carat gold n...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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.