Metal Desk Accessories

An Exceptionally Fine Quality English Well Figured Solid grained Mahogany Officers Campaign Style Traveling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and unusually large size. First quart...

The waves on a choppy lake, rough by the wind, inspire the design of alpaca boxes and picture frames of this family, whose name comes from the tribe that dwelled in the North Argenti...

Large artisan made hand-tooled/engraved dagger style paper knife in solid brass. It comes in a decorative sheath also in hand-engraved solid brass. It was made in either Turkey or an...

French Art Nouveau Inkwell by Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat, France, circa 1890. A rare and exquisite Art Nouveau inkwell by renowned French ceramist Pierre-Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910). This finely crafted piece showcases Dalpayrat’s signature red copper-glazed stoneware, especially rich and luminous near the base. Elegantly mounted in pewter, the design exemplifies the organic flow and refined detail of the Art Nouveau period. Dimensions: Height: 3.54 in. (9 cm) Diameter: 5.12 in. (13 cm) Materials: Stoneware with pewter mount Condition: Excellent+++++, museum-quality preservation Markings: Incised signature "Dalpayrat 1500" under the base (see photo) This inkwell is a collectible example of French ceramic art at the turn of the century—perfect for collectors of Art Nouveau, 19th-century French ceramics, or the works of Dalpayrat. Adrien Dalpayrat (1844–1910): A Pioneer of French Ceramic Innovation Adrien Dalpayrat was a French ceramicist and researcher who played a key role in the revival of stoneware at the end of the 19th century. Born in 1844 in Limoges, Dalpayrat studied drawing and porcelain painting in his hometown before beginning his professional career at the Jules Vieillard faience factory in Bordeaux. There, he met his wife, Marie Tallerie, with whom he had two sons—Albert and Adolphe—who would later become his primary collaborators. Throughout his early career, Dalpayrat worked for several major ceramic manufacturers, including Ashwin (Valentine), Fouquet (Toulouse), François Blanc (Monaco), and Léon Sazerat (Limoges). In 1889, seeking greater independence, he moved to the Paris region and established his own studio in Bourg-la-Reine. Collaborations and Artistic Evolution Dalpayrat’s creative vision expanded through his collaboration with sculptor Alphonse Voisin-Delacroix. Together, they explored neo-Gothic and Palissy-inspired motifs, creating a remarkable ceramic bestiary. Following Voisin-Delacroix’s death in 1893, Dalpayrat partnered with Adèle Lesbros, which marked a shift in his work toward simpler, more refined vase forms influenced by Japonism. Japanese art had been introduced to France during the 1867 Universal Exhibition, but it wasn’t until the 1878 Exhibition, particularly through the ceremonial stoneware used in the Japanese tea ceremony, that Japonism truly captivated French artists. This influence led Dalpayrat to create vessels with organic, vegetal, and animal-inspired forms. Technical Mastery: The Secrets of Copper Red Among all the ceramists of his time who sought to replicate the elusive Chinese “sang de boeuf” (oxblood) glaze, Adrien Dalpayrat was arguably the most successful. He didn’t simply reproduce the legendary copper red—he transformed it. By manipulating glaze thickness, firing temperature, atmosphere, and copper oxide content, he developed a unique palette of flamed and mottled red glazes that became his signature: the renowned Dalpayrat red. He further enriched his pieces by introducing streaks and inclusions of turquoise, blue, green, and yellow—freeing the red glaze from monochromy and turning it into an expressive, living surface. His work pushed stoneware beyond function into expressive art, merging form and glaze in bold, sculptural harmony. Beyond Ceramics: Bronze Mounts and Architectural Works Dalpayrat also collaborated with renowned jewelers such as Ernest Cardeilhac and Keller to produce pieces mounted in gilt bronze, blending ceramics with decorative arts at the highest level. In an effort to make his work more accessible, he opened a second faience workshop focused on simpler, more affordable pieces inspired by Nevers and Rouen ware. However, this venture faced financial difficulties and closed by 1900. The main family studio followed in 1906 as the popularity of Art Nouveau declined. Dalpayrat then returned to Limoges, devoting his final years to painting and drawing until his death in 1910. Legacy and Recognition Despite financial struggles during his lifetime, Dalpayrat’s ceramics were widely acclaimed at major international exhibitions: Bronze medal, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (1893) Silver medal, Antwerp International Exhibition (1894) Gold medal, Exposition Universelle, Paris (1900) Today, his work is part of prestigious museum collections. In 2020, the Petit Palais in Paris acquired a large bird motif vase created in collaboration with Voisin-Delacroix, now on view in Room...

Annemarie Davidson & Blaine Rath Walnut & Enamel Letter Tray, California, c.1970

A Russian Neoclassical paper knife or letter opener in the style of a Roman gladius sword. The blade is made of polished nephrite jade stone. Pink guilloche enamel handle with gilt a...

An outstanding desk set made of beautiful Italian black Portor rmarble. Comprising: - Pen tray with inkwell - Letter holder - Blotter - Paper knife All the pieces are original and i...

Wonderful walnut writing box or slope Fabulous colour and figure in the wood Good condition Working secret drawers* Replaced leather With a key Free UK shipping *The drawers a...

Circa 1870s English Gothic Revival writing slope desk box. A letter box is flanked by the original brass collared & hinged inkwells in brass surrounds (the hinges now a bit loose fro...

An exceptionally fine early English Well Figured Solid grained Walnut Ladies or Gents Travelling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and compact proportions. Last quarter of the Nin...

Egyptian Revival Bronze Scarab Paperweight with Hieroglyphic Inscription, Early 20th Century A finely cast Egyptian Revival scarab paperweight in p...

A mid 19th century Grand Tour, French, Inkwell in the form of Napoleon’s tomb. The patinated black iron tomb with removable lid revealing a sand sifter a...

Tapio Wirkkala Puukko Knife by Hackman Finnish Design This vintage Puukko knife, designed by renowned Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala and produc...

The Olivetti Valetine is an icon for its expressive design and practical usability portable, manual typewriter known for its typical red ABS plastic housing and matching red case. Th...

Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. Our pieces are made by hand. One of...

Perfect for both smokers and non-smokers alike, this brass ashtray is not only functional but also visually appealing. Its geometric shape adds a touch of modern elegance to any room...

A charming modernist shell keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Length including...

A Murano Glass 'Virgo' astrological paperweight by Ferro and Lazzarini Crafted in the 1980s in Italy, the large glass paperweight was part of a l...

A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully...

A very beautiful and rare pink and black rhodonite quartz jewelry box with bronze/brass frame and a midnight blue velvet interior, circa early-20th ...

An art deco desk set manufactured in Italy in the Thirties, in original conditions with small signs of use and age, brass it's in original patina. Dimensions are of the Inkstand. Thi...

A rare and historical antique bronze letter opener by luxury maker Tiffany & Co. originally issued in limited numbers on December 21st, 19...

An Italian dark brown alabaster marble jewelry box with a blue matte metal hinge. Box can hold jewelry or other small items. A great piece for a...

Classic early 1960s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it. This highly collectible vintage piec...

This stunning Art Deco Bakelite desk accessories writing set dates from the 1930s. The set is built of five pieces in its original box: a letter opener, paper cutter, pen holder, mec...

Paperweight Lino Sabattini for Christofle France 1960 Silver Metal Mark manufacture impressed Very good condiction

A charming modernist seahorse keyring / key holder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped a...

A charming modernist elephant keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte A...

Art deco revival style chrome metal heavy penguin paperweight. In very good preowned condition, the penguin is bright and well made and shows minimal signs of wear. Dimensions: 5.25”...

A beautiful antique French bronze letter opener dating to the 1910s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor and marked “Bronze” and “Fait main,” indicating hand-made production. T...

Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Letter Opener – Bernadotte Pattern (#301) A rare all-silver letter opener in the iconic Bernadotte pattern, designed in 1938 by Sigvard Bernadotte. This...

Kodak No. 2A Folding Autographic Brownie Folding Roll Film Camera Made In Canada Uses Type 116 Autographic Roll Film Patented 1910-1913 Frame Size: 2 1/4 × 4 1/4 inches Uses a Ko...

A substantial sterling silver-plated letter opener with horse head handle, circa mid-20th century, USA. A great desk, office, library, etc., accessory. With maker's mark on underside...

Italian typewriter Olivetti 1930 Ivrea M40.

Circa 1920. We offer this Art Nouveau Victorian Steel Office Stapler Paper Fastener Rarity, fantastic patina.

A charming modernist U-shaped keyring / keyholder / keychain "Knopferl", model #4617-2, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Identical to the brass key ring...

Optical microscope signed F.lli Koristka Milano n. 42870 produced between 1920/30, of chromed and black painted brass, three-magnification turret, consisting of a stand and a plate w...

A large and impressive early 19c French bronze and gilt bronze inkwell, the central chased handle with a pair of candle arms terminating in lion masks, 2 tray wells either side of a ...

Elegant Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Oval Rollerball Pen Complete With Cartier Box Guarantee Card. Made in Paris, France Cartier pens are designed by Cart...

A Classic Must de Cartier Silver Plated Trinity Vendome Fountain Pen With 18ct Gold Nib Made in Paris, France. Item Is Sold With Original Red Gold Leather Box, Red Gold...

A charming modernist heart keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck ...

A charming modernist pig keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Aus...

This is an early 20th century highly decorative French gilt bronze, malachite and faux malachite inkstand with dual inkwells. The base is a mix of faux malachite and malachite veneer...

Mid-Century Modern hand blown Murano glass fish figure with multicolor murrine and gold flecks, Italy 1950s. This fish sculpture has multicolor spots in brown, orange, red, green, ...

A beautifully cast late Victorian inkwell dating to circa 1880 in the form of a handsome hunting dog. The hinged lid opens to reveal a removable ink chamber. Excellent conditio...

A black resin rectangular box with mosaic inlaid mallard duck bird on pond with cattail plant flower; all inlaying was done by hand with natural materials...

ABOUT An original German perpetual desk calendar. Change the day of the week and date by pressing the Bakelite handle on the side. A knob in the back allows you to adjust the date t...

A refined antique inkwell, with two inkwells made of bronze, including glass cups. The base is made of veneered marquetry wood with a diamond pattern, framed in a bronze rim, resting...

Very Unusual Fine Quality English Ladies or Gentleman’s Walking Stick or Dress Cane of outstanding quality and stylish design, last quarter of the Nineteenth Century. Sterling Silv...

A charming poodle figurine, made of brass designed by Walter Bosse, executed in the 1950s by Hertha Baller, Austria. In excellent condition.

Carl Auböck Model #4329 Patinated Brass Hook. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and minimalist midcentury wall hook is executed in choice of patinated brass, polished brass, or ...

Vintage Gucci Italian Metal Bird Desk Ornament or Paperweight This charming desk accessory is a vintage piece of home décor or paperweight by the renowned Italian luxury house, Gucci...

Jugenstile cast bronze inkwell in the form of a bat (Fledermaus).

Cool Ink Well designed as a Godin iron stove from the late 19th Century. Made in France in cast iron and painted with a beautiful patina. Probably an advertising item...

Carl Auböck Model #5371 'Heart' polished brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this beautifully refined Viennese paperweight is hand-fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte ...

Victorian Period, sterling silver and turquoise blue guilloche enamel letter opener/paper knife, Sheffield, England, year-hallmarked for 1866, R. Martin and E. Hall (doing business a...

A very finely made antique French Palais Royal ormolu mounted mother of pearl desk stand with pen dating from around 1900. The stand comprises of an ornate looped wire work carrying handle with a candle holder mounted on a shaped metal body embossed and engraved with floral designs and with a coiled pen support one with a snake head terminal and other with a flower with a polished mother of pearl bowl...

Elegant Vintage Cartier 18ct Gold Plated Vendome Trinity Oval Rollerball Pen Complete With Cartier Box Guarantee Card. Made in Paris, France Cartier pens are designed by Cart...

Antique British Military Campaign 19th Century Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Ebonized Trim. The Interior Features a tooled Blue Leather Scriver, A Single Glass Inkwell...

Add some sophistication and organization to your desk with our glass pen holder featuring a beautiful brass structure. Perfect for holding pens, penci...