Dagger Letter Opener
Antique Late 19th Century Moroccan Letter Openers
Stone, Brass
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Silver, Steel
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Letter Openers
Brass, Pewter
Late 20th Century Egyptian Letter Openers
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Tobacco Accessories
Metal
Early 20th Century European Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Desk Accessories
Wrought Iron
1990s American Desk Accessories
Sterling Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century German Letter Openers
Steel
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Letter Openers
Gold, Silver, Steel, Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desk Sets
Brass, Silver Plate
20th Century Israeli Letter Openers
Silver
Antique 19th Century Victorian Letter Openers
Brass
Vintage 1980s American Modern Letter Openers
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Letter Openers
Bronze
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Letter Openers
Metal, Brass
Antique 1850s Italian Gothic Letter Openers
Steel
Antique 1820s Turkish Islamic Letter Openers
Steel, Gold
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Metalwork
Silver Plate, Metal, Brass
Antique 19th Century Japanese Other Sculptures and Carvings
Bone
21st Century and Contemporary American Desk Accessories
Early 20th Century British Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
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19th Century Academic Nude Paintings
Oil
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Musical Instruments
Wood, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1920s Arms, Armor and Weapons
Agate, Silver
Vintage 1940s Arms, Armor and Weapons
Brass
Antique 1890s Zimbabwean Arms, Armor and Weapons
Metal
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Islamic Arms, Armor and Weapons
Metal, Brass
Antique 16th Century Indian Jewelry Boxes
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Victorian Taxidermy
Animal Skin
21st Century and Contemporary European Victorian Taxidermy
Animal Skin
Antique 19th Century South American Other Arms, Armor and Weapons
Steel, Brass, Bronze
20th Century English Georgian Tableware
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Neoclassical Arms, Armor and Weapons
Steel
Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Copper, Gold
Antique Early 19th Century English George IV Figurative Sculptures
Sterling Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
Dagger Letter Opener For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Dagger Letter Opener?
Finding the Right Desk-accessories for You
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.
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