Modern Desk Accessories
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
21st Century Peso Concrete Book and Door Holder 2kg Light Grey Color Cement
Located in Rome, Lazio
Colored book and door holders made in concrete. A touch of color for your bookcase 100% made in Italy.
2kg: measures: L 9, P 9, H 18 cm.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Concrete
Minimal Bottle Opener Made in Brass, Stainless Steel and Raw Steel
Located in Chicago, IL
Strong in form and heavy in weight, the bottle openers are elegant in their simplicity and precision. Solid bar stock is transformed through the most minimal intervention possible, c...
Category
2010s American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel
Wooden Christmas Tree Set – Cedar with Bronze Tip, Medium Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The luxury bronze-tipped Christmas tree is designed to complete your holiday décor with natural elegance. Inspired by the aesthetic forms of three distinct trees—Cedar, Fir, and Juni...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Signed Feliciano Bejar Green Cut Glass Sculpture, circa 1990
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Cut glass and brushed aluminum table sculpture by Feliciano Béjar (1920-2007), Mexico, 1990's.
His art sculptures dating from the 1960's through 1990's uses glass ground with either...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stainless Steel
$1,512 Sale Price
79% Off
Desk Set stripes enamel Fountain pen, Ballpoint pen and Tray.Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular tray with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels with two-tone stripes on guilloche and hand engravings, cm. 9.5 x 18. For fountain pe...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$4,659 Sale Price
20% Off
Tiffany
Co. Sterling Silver Letter Opener
By Tiffany
Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine silver letter opener.
Additional Details:
In sterling silver.
By Tiffany & Co.
Marked to the end of the handle for Tiffany & Co. / 925 / © / 1995
Simply a wonderful letter...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian spherical onyx desk paperweight, in natural neutral hues / Made in Italy circa 1970s
Measures: diameter 4 inches
Order reference #: FABIOLTD G178
This piece makes for...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
$240 Sale Price
40% Off
Set Tronador Square Bordeaux, Blue, Cream, Onyx Stone Boxes
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Onyx
Great American Circus Calendar Medal by Marcel Jovine
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This is a large bronze coin medallion of the Great American Circus calendar by sculptor Marcel Jovine.
Marcel Jovine was an Italian-born American sculptor who was best known as the ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
Scissor, Letter Opener, Leather Desk Set
Located in Denton, TX
Gold leaf design on bankers green leather holder with nickel plated letter opener and D shaped handle forged scissors.
Category
20th Century North American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Steel
Crystal Pink Ashtray for Val Saint Lambert, Paper Weight Signed
By Val Saint Lambert, Guido Bon
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Free-blown pink and clear crystal ashtray by Val Saint Lambert.
Could be used as a vide poche or decorative desk accessories.
Hand blown beautif...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
1970
s Italian Malachite and Diamond Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in North Miami, FL
1970's Italian Malachite and diamonds gold ring. 14K gold,.
Has wear by age and use.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Malachite, Gold
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
Snow Globe Black White Chanel Number 5
By Chanel
Located in Munich, DE
Rare limited edition of a Chanel Snow Ball with white bags on a white base, which are only for VIP Customers in excellent condition and with the original bo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic, Acrylic
Art Deco Crystal Faceted Block Paperweight Vase Desk Accessory
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A thick Block of Crystal with a large hole in the center. The faceted piece had a previous life as an ink well, or small container for stamps or a piece like a salt Cellar.
The pi...
Category
20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Tiffany Box and Bow Crystal Paperweight by Tiffany
Co.
By Tiffany
Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous iconic Tiffany box with bow crystal paperweight by Tiffany & Co. circa 1990's. The box is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3"W x 3"D x 2....
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Italian Photo Frame Handmade Wood, Double Heart
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Double Heart is a unique arge Italian hand crafted wood double photo frame by sculptor Massimo Pasini.
Wood is a very warm material and it is very m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Italian 1970s Metal Parrot Head Scotch Tape Dispenser
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1970s Parrot Head Scotch Tape Dispenser
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Set Tronador Mini Boxes, Bordeaux Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Dimensions :
3.1 x 3.1 x 3.9 "
3.9 x 3.9 x 3.2"
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Onyx
Black marble carved large Bowl
Located in Mexico City, MX
Bowl in carved Monterrey black marble. Handmade in Mexico by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 additi...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
$410 / item
"Paper Bag" by California Bronze
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Whimsical "paper bag" made from cast metal from California Bronze. Would make for a fun decorative piece in any interior. Photographed atop a Cappellini sid...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
René Lalique Cup with Foot "Dampierre"
By René Lalique
Located in Madrid, ES
René Lalique
Cup with foot "Dampierre", in French crystal from the 20th century, molded and relieved, signed 'Lalique, France'. Dimensions: 12.5 x 12 cm.
Category
20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Crystal
Hermes Paris 1960 Vintage Modernist Desk Box Round Covered Dish In silver
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Round covered dish designed by Hermes.
This is a very beautiful and highly decorative piece, created in Paris France by the luxury house of Hermes, back in the 1960. This useful des...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver
Vintage Lalique Frosted Glass Tang Horse Figurine or Paperweight
By Lalique
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine french glass figurine or paperweight.
By Lalique.
Designed by Marie-Claude Lalique in the 1980s.
In the form of a Tang Dynasty horse with cropped tail and mane.
The horse in frosted glass and the rectangular base and negative space (between legs) in clear glass.
With an original Lalique Paris sticker and etched "Lalique Ⓡ France" signature.
Simply a wonderful Lalique horse...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass
Hermès, Scissors Equestrian Horse Head in Silver Plate, 1960
s-1970
s Paris
Located in Lausanne, CH
An elegant pair of scissors designed and retailed by Hermès, manufactured by silversmiths Ravinet d'Enfert, Paris France.
The handles are silverplate and the blades are in stainless ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate, Stainless Steel
1990s Alfredo Barbini Modern Black Murano Glass Paperweight depicting an Hand
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This paperweight reflects the elegance and modern artistry of 1990s Murano glass while also carrying the signature style of one of the most renowned Venetian glassmakers of the 20th ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Murano Glass
Italian modern white rings for perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, 2020s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern pearl white rings for the perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, 2020s
Set of 3 round rings for the perpetual wall calendar by Ring A Date, in pearl white plastic. Th...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plastic
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
Emerald Green Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Semi Sphere is a very cool and f...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Italian Modern Photo Frame in Blue Plexiglass, Sharing Blue
Located in Sarezzo, IT
Sharing blue is a square Italian pop design picture frame in blue plexiglass of Art with Heart collection of photo frames by Laura G ,Italy. It is realized into plexiglass royal blue...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Plexiglass
Vintage Montblanc Meisterstuck Leonardo Sketch Pen 169
By Montblanc
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a particularly rare sketch pen by Montblanc!
The Montblanc Meisterstuck Leonardo Sketch Pen 169 is an exclusive collector’s item for lovers of high-qual...
Category
1990s German Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold
Paperweight, ruler with pen by Vanni Mazzetti
Located in Lugo, IT
Paperweight, ruler with pen by Vanni Mazzetti
Brass and steel
Good condition.
Thank you
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Multigame Set in Red Briar and Mahogany Casinò Passion
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Red briar and mahogany multigame, polished finish, leather handles. Contents: 36 cms mahogany roulette, rake, 365 poker chips, bosso chessmen, backgammon, poker dice...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$15,000 / item
Italian Modern Dark Green Marble Obelisk Sculpture, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
An Italian '70s modern or Post-Modern period dark green marble obelisk sculpture, circa 1970s, Italy. Obelisk is green with white veining. Very go...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
Three Sculptural Objects
Cubism
, Man Ray, Raw White Ceramic
By Manolo Eirin
Located in Carballo, ES
Geometry set of 3 pieces made of ceramic, with high quality stoneware in the Galician town of Buño, known throughout the world for its quality in the pottery technique. The shapes in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware, Terracotta
Wooden Christmas Tree Set – Cedar, Large Size
Located in Orlando, FL
Modern minimalist holiday décor trees offer a natural and elegant option to complete your Christmas decorations. This solid cedar minimalist decorative tree set abstractly reinterpre...
Category
2010s Asian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Onyx Marble Jewelry Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
A small '70s modern hexagon shaped onyx box with lid, circa 1970s. Box is multicolored onyx, in a hexagon shape with lid and feet. A nice piece to hold small items on a desk, or smal...
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Onyx
$340 Sale Price
20% Off
Wicker Cane Lucite Acrylic Tissue Box Dior Style
Located in New York, NY
A wicker cane and acrylic tissue holder box in the style of Christian Dior Home. This acrylic and wicker cane box holds standard size tissues. Beautiful natural wicker cane and clear...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Cane, Acrylic, Wicker
Bronze Female Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, small, substantial bronze female head bust sculpture on cylindrical wood pedestal base, circa early-20th century or earlier. Artist is un...
Category
Early 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Bronze
$2,200
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
Art Glass Heart Paperweight Decorative Object
By Robert Held
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial art glass heart paperweight or decorative object by artist Robet Held, circa late-20th century. Heart is a light blue art glass with touches of blue and p...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
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
Collection of Six Glass Multicolored Paperweights
Located in London, GB
These glass paperweights are wonderful decorative pieces which will make perfect desk accessories or collectables.
The paperweights are all slightly different in their shape and ...
Category
20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Art Glass
Wooden Christmas Tree Set CEDAR – Cedar
Located in Orlando, FL
The handcrafted solid cedar Christmas tree set is designed to complete your holiday theme with a warm and natural atmosphere. Inspired by the natural structure of cedar wood, the abs...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Wooden Christmas Tree Set – Cedar, Medium Size
Located in Orlando, FL
The minimal modern handcrafted tree set is designed to bring a natural and aesthetic atmosphere to your holiday theme. These solid cedar decorative Christmas objects...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Cedar
Contemporary Picture Frame Handmade Blue Crystal, Brass and Gold by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
Crystal photo frame of excellent craftsmanship and artistic quality.
The crystal has been hand sculpted and has an intense and brilliant blue fi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Gold, Brass
Antique Brown Crocodile-Embossed Leather Desk Pad.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Antique brown crocodile-embossed leather desk pad.
Transform your workspace with this desk pad, where elegance meets functionality.
Crafted from brown leather with a striking crocod...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Round Coasters set in black marble
Located in Mexico City, MX
Set of four round coasters in Monterrey black marble. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-1...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble
$70 / set
Decor Tray Set - Set of 4 decorative trays in different colors - Handmade
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Decor Tray Set - Set of 4 trays in different colors
Include:
- 1 (one) Leather Tray, Small Square Tray - Color: Vanilla
Dimensions: Height: 1.78 in (4,5...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Leather
Cuyo Large Alpaca Silver
Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
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...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Male and Female Sculpture, circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
A vintage midcentury reproduction of a figurative male and female 'embracing' sculpture on black marble base, 1963, New York, New York. Sculpture has maker's mark on side and on bott...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Composition, Marble
$380 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Zellique Art Glass Pear
Located in Fairfield, CA
A beautiful vintage Zellique studio art glass pear. Beautiful satin semi iridescent finish to the glass. Signed on the base.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass
TRONADOR Rectangular Brown Onyx Stone Box
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
The shape of the inactive Tronador volcano reminded us of the pyramid shaped idea of our boxes that make up this collection. With a rectangular or square base, the box is a reflectio...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Stone, Onyx
$1,100 / item
Polished Briarwood and Mahogany Jewel Box with Gold-Plated Hardware
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry chest in polished briarwood and mahogany, ultrasuede lining, 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With necklace bars, lockable doors and five drawers. Adjustable mirror on...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Passione di Gioco Walnut Mahjong
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Mahjong in matt Canaletto walnut with brass parts in ruthenium finish.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
$1,980 / item
Italian red typewriter Valentine by Ettore Sottsass Perry King Olivetti, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern typewriter Valentine by Ettore Sottsass and Perry A. King for Olivetti, 1970s
Iconic typewriter model Valentine with rectangular base and rounded corners, in bright re...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Emerald Green Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors.
It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
This sculpture is very versatile and fun! You can ...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Italian Leather Box Desk Storage
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian black leather desk organizer, circa late-20th century, 1970s, Florence, Italy. This desk piece organizer is black leather, comprised of five (5) boxes with a rich clear lacquered wood back, brass hinges, and a center rest area (shown with car key, and small change purse...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Salta Large Square Black Onyx Stone 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
$1,100 / item
Strawberry Pink Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space.
Our Semi Sphere is a very cool and f...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories
Materials
Resin
Modern desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Ghidini 1961, Danese Milano, Enzo Mari, and AIREDELSUR. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $15 and tops out at $57,800 while the average work can sell for $499.
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