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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
In Stock in Los Angeles, Green Rabbit Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rabbit Mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles Power bank. You can carry Rabbit MINI in your bag as an external battery for yo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

In Stock in Los Angeles, Light Blue Rabbit Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rabbit mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles Power bank. You can carry Rabbit MINI in your bag as an external battery for your smartphone or any other device. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary 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

21st Century Concrete Cement Tray Centrepiece Handmade Pink Flamingo Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Renzo in a family of multipurpose trays with a very smooth surface and soft curved edges, now available in a different color composition. Each piece is a unique, no two are the same....
Category

2010s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Concrete

Cuyo Medium Alpaca Silver & Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
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

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Shagreen Photo Frame by Fabio Ltd
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Multi-color shagreen leather and 24 karat gold-plated picture frame by Fabio Ltd Measures: Height 13.5 inches, width 11.5 inches, depth 1 inch Photo size: 8 inches by 10 inches LAST ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold

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

SHAGREEN PEN HOLDER sage green striped metal details exclusive design
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Pen holder with design essential and contemporary coated with the very special shagreen leather in the seductive sage color. Handcrafted with skilled craftsmanship, the pen h...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

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

JADE DESK SET pen holder clock lens paper cutter modern design
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Refined and exclusive desk set with seductive rounded, jade-colored lacquered surfaces combined with details striped . Designed by Nino Basso, the set is composed of pen ho...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Brass Dice
Located in Paonia, CO
The (wh)ORE HAüS STUDIOS small goods collection was made for those that wanted to experience the (wh)ORE HAüS brand without committing to our larger pieces. The brass dice are made o...
Category

2010s American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Agresti Il Bauletto Jewelry Box in Briar and Mahogany
Located in New York, NY
Jewelry box in briar and mahogany, matte finish, ultra suede lining. 24-karat gold plated brass accessories. With removable tray and necklace bar.   
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Suede, Mahogany

To-Go Business Card Holder in Stainless Steel Mirror Finish by Georg Jensen
Located in New York, NY
Sleek and elegant yet highly functional and easy to use, this card holder is the perfect accessory for the modern lifestyle on the go.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stainless Steel

Miniphant in Stainless Steel Mirror Finish by Georg Jensen
Located in New York, NY
The Miniphant, a diminutive version of Industrial architect Jørgen Møller’s Classic elephant moneybox, is crafted from mirror-polished stainless steel and features all the characteri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stainless Steel

"Italo" Leather In and Out Tray Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Italo" is a leather out tray and paper holder, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. Genuine Italian leather vegetable tanned. Colors combination to be cho...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Sweep Dust Pan and Brush with Wall Mount Peg, Made of Brass and Horsehair Brush
Located in Chicago, IL
This dust pan and brush bring a whole new dimension to cleaning. Made of brass and horsehair, the set comes with a magnetic peg that allows for the pan and brush to be proudly be dis...
Category

2010s American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

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

Albert Paley 1994 "Medallion" Paperweight in Blackened Steel with Bronzed Patina
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Albert Paley large handcrafted steel medallion paperweight. Small edition for Arts Patrons. Formed and fabricated blackened steel with chemical patina...
Category

1990s American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Christmas Tree Ceramic Head, Red, Large, Cedar (Limited Edition)
Located in Karabağlar/Izmir, TR
-Cedar, Fir, and Juniper, designed to evoke the form of cedar, fir, and juniper trees, abstracted and inspired by their names, to create a perfect atmosphere for your New Year concep...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Cedar

SHAGREEN PEN HOLDER light sage green striped metal details
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Pen holder with essential design and modern highlighting the very special skin shagreen covering it in the elegant color sage clear. Made with masterful craftsmanship, the pe...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

ENLIGHTENING LENS midnight blue lacquered handle
Located in Spilimbergo, IT
Desk lens that combines essential design with the elegant handle relacquered midnight blue and details in nickel-plated metal polished to a mirror finish. The magnifying glass -...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Desk Set of Natural Stone Oxide Slate Minimalist Design Handmade in Spain Meddel
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Desk Set of Natural Stone Oxide Slate Minimalist Design Handmade in Spain Meddel Transform your workspace with our elegant rust slate screen rest, made in Spain. This subtly designed...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Slate

Desk Set of Natural Stone Black Slate Minimalist Design Handmade in Spain Meddel
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
Desk Set of Natural Stone Black Slate Minimalist Design Handmade in Spain Meddel Add a touch of sophistication and style to your office with our black slate screen rest, crafted from...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone, Slate

White Bookend Mould Project by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
White bookend Mould project by Theodora Alfredsdottir Unique Materials: Jesmonite Dimensions: 110 x 80 x 180mm Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product...
Category

2010s English Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Cement

Contemporary Handmade Dark Brass Bookend HIPPOS, Ancient Greek Forms by Anaktae
Located in Athens, GR
Contemporary, handcrafted bookend, model "Hippos" in oxidized brass, dark oxidation. This bookend is part of the "Althaea Series", a collection of four bookends in brass Inspired by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Set Tronador Square Bordeaux, Blue, Cream, Onyx Stone Boxes
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

Set Tronador Large Mini Boxes, Brown & Cream Onyx Stone and Silver Alpaca
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

Glass Pear in Clear
Located in Richmond, VA
Casted glass pear in clear by Devon Made Glass Fruit inspired by blown glass fruit makers and collectors from the 1960's. The light playful approach to everyday fruit is contrasted w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Glass Banana in Clear
Located in Richmond, VA
Casted glass banana in clear by Devon Made Glass Fruit inspired by blown glass fruit makers and collectors from the 1960's. The light playful approach to ...
Category

2010s Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Glass Pear in Lilac
Located in Richmond, VA
Casted glass pear in dichroic lilac by Devon Made inspired by blown glass fruit makers and collectors from the 1960's. The light playful approach to everyday fruit is contrasted with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Glass Lemon in Clear
Located in Richmond, VA
Casted glass lemon in clear by Devon made glass Fruit inspired by blown glass fruit makers and collectors from the 1960's. The light playful approach to everyday fruit is contrasted ...
Category

2010s New Zealand Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Glass Lemon in Lilac
Located in Richmond, VA
Casted glass lemon in dichroic lilac by Devon Made inspired by blown glass fruit makers and collectors from the 1960's. The light playful approach to everyday fruit is contrasted wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Fermacarte in Vetro di Murano - U. Nespolo in Serie Numerata - Italia - Anni '80
Located in Milano, IT
Originale fermacarte artistico, disegnato da Ugo Nespolo e prodotto in serie limitata a 100 pezzi, firmati dall'autore. Realizzato in vetro di Murano, con scatola e garanzia original...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Murano Glass

Enzo MARI (1932-2020) Porte-lettres et porte-crayons Ventotene modèle crée 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
Enzo MARI (1932-2020) Porte-lettres et porte-crayons Ventotene, modèle crée en 1960 Edition Danese Milano toujours existante, début d’édition Deux feuilles d’acier inoxydable poli. H...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Stainless Steel

Jacques DUVAL-BRASSEUR (né en 1934) Branche vers 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
Jacques DUVAL-BRASSEUR (né en 1934) Branche, vers 1980 Laiton formé et soudé, feuillage décoré de fines tranches d’agate serties. Long. : 40 cm Provenance : vente Chochon-Barré-Alla...
Category

20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate, Brass

Leather Tray, Large A Rectangular Tray, Handmade - Color: Zinc
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For different uses, the line of Monochrome Trays can be used separately or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so use your creativity to build a uniq...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Posacenere stile Jean Luce Saint Gobain Fontana Arte
Located in Lugo, IT
Posacenere nello stile di Jean Luce per Saint Gobain o produzione Fontana Arte. Buone condizioni. Grazie
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Pink Glazed Ceramic Shiva Flower Vase by Ettore Sottsass 20th Century Spanish
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Shiva vase is sculpture and vase. It is a symbol of Ettore Sottsass and an icon. Sottsass designed the Shiva Vase when travelling to Barcelona for love in 1973. He encountered m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Portapenna attribuita a Fontana Arte Pietro Chiesa Gio Ponti
Located in Lugo, IT
Portapenna in cristallo attribuito a una produzione di Fontana Arte su disegno di Pietro Chiesa o Gio Ponti. Piccolo segno interno, in foto e in video si vede ma non rotture e segni ...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Contemporary Red Burgundy Pink Glazed Ceramic Explorer Vase No.3 by Jaime Hayon
Located in Barcelona, ES
The shapely forms of the pieces in the Explorer Collection, have been condensed into these vases. They are objects that are part of my cosmos, taken from my drawings. The materialisa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Wonderful Crystal Daum Pate De Verre Papillon Butterfly On Leaf Flower Sculpture
By Daum
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Crystal Daum Pate De Verre Papillon Butterfly Perched On A Leaf & Flower Sculpture Paperweight
Category

20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Glass Sphere
Located in New York, NY
A transparent glass sphere on a square glass base decorative object or paperweight, in the Modern style, circa late-20th century. A great decorative object for a desk, library, shelf...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Koa Wood Letter Openers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice sculptural forms with a beautiful patina. Both are engraved "Kamaka Hawaii". The tips have some chips. Presents well. Great for collections and decor...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Leather Tray, Large B Retangular Tray, Handmade - Color: Savannah
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For different uses, the line of Monochrome Trays can be used separately or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so use your creativity to build a uniq...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Leather Tray, Large B Retangular Tray, Handmade - Color: Wine
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For different uses, the line of Monochrome Trays can be used separately or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so use your creativity to build a uniq...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Leather Tray, Large B Retangular Tray, Handmade - Color: Black
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For different uses, the line of Monochrome Trays can be used separately or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so use your creativity to build a uniq...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Modern Letter Opener Richard Meier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic post modern design. Form + function. Whimsical spinning cube. Signs of wear. Some scratches on the tip with patina. Presents well. Nice desk accessory...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Daum French Crystal Riviera Coupe Car
Located in New York, NY
Daum French Crystal Riviera Coupe Car. Highly detailed large glass depiction of a classic car with frosted tires and engine. Designed by Xavier F...
Category

20th Century French Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal

Medium & Large, Bookends Cuyo, Onix Stone & Silver Alpaca
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
4" x 4" x 7.8" 4.8 "x 4.8" x 9.5" Cuyo bookends are solid heavy beautiful pieces of geometrical onyx stone, mostly in square base and round top. Very sharm for a personal library. ...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Geometric Sculpture in Polished Pearl Resin 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 cr...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Set of 3 Trays. From The Tempera series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Set of 3 Trays, 2023 From The Tempera series Material: Duck egg yolk, binder Overall size: 19.5 Diameter x 15 H (cm) Individual Dimensions: 19.5 Diameter x 5 H (cm) Weight: avg. 1kg Every piece is hand-made, color and measurement may slightly vary. Colors: Black and Ivory Tempera series Candle Holder...
Category

2010s North Korean Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Shell

Set of 3 Trays. From The Tempera series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Set of 3 Trays, 2023 From The Tempera series Material: Duck egg yolk, binder Overall size: 19.5 Diameter x 15 H (cm) Individual Dimensions: 19.5 Diameter x 5 H (cm) Weight: avg. 1kg Every piece is hand-made, color and measurement may slightly vary. Colors: Black and Ivory Tempera series Candle Holder...
Category

2010s North Korean Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Shell

Leather Trinket Tray - Small Square Object Holder - Handmade - Color: Savannah
Located in Curitiba, Parana
OBJECT HOLDER The Trinket Tray/Object Holder Line can be used as organizers for everyday objects or as your imagination suggests. Made of genuine leather, the Italian border finish...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Set of 4 Eggshell Vases. From the Oygg series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Set of 4 Eggshell Vases, 2023 From The Oygg series Material: Egg Shells, Jesmonite Dimensions: 41.2 W x 10 D x 19.3 H (cm) Individual size: 10.3 W x 10 D x 19.3 H (cm) Weight: 5 kg ...
Category

2010s North Korean Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Shell, Eggshell

Decor Tray Set - Set of 4 decorative trays in different colors - Handmade
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

Table Tray Set - Set of 5 decorative trays in different colors - Handmade
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Table Tray Set - Set of 5 decorative trays in different colors Include: - 2 (two) Leather Tray, Small Square Tray Color: Vanilla Dimensions: Height: 1.78 in (4,5 cm) Width: 7.09 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

Seo of 4 Eggshell Vases. From the Oygg series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Seo of 4 Eggshell Vases, 2023 From The Oygg series Material : Egg Shells, Jesmonite Dimensions: 41.2 W x 10 D x 19.3 H (cm) Individual size: 10.3 W x 10 D x 19.3 H (cm) Weight: 5 kg...
Category

2010s North Korean Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Shell, Eggshell

Leather Tray, Medium B Rectangular Tray - Handmade - Color: Zinc
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For different uses, the line of Monochrome Trays can be used separately or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so use your creativity to build a uniq...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather

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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