Desk accessory

This is a geometric and sculpturally conceived desk accessory from the 1930s, most likely produced in central Europe during the height of the Art Deco and early functionalist design movements. It functions as a pen stand, but also as a small architectural composition in miniature, employing clean planes, reflective contrasts, and machine-inspired forms.

The piece is constructed from nickel-plated steel and black-painted wood. It comprises a rectangular metal base with a high-polish finish, upon which is mounted a spherical pen holder—partially encased in a split hemispherical steel shell. The sphere, painted matte black, serves as a practical receptacle for writing instruments. At the opposite end of the base is a black rectangular wooden tray, gently concave in profile and functioning as a rest for pencils or smaller accessories. The juxtaposition of circular and rectilinear volumes reflects the influence of modernist geometry and mechanical aesthetics of the interwar period.

Stylistically, this object sits at the intersection of Art Deco and early European functionalism. The symmetry, crisp metal finish, and precision of the nickel components align with the decorative rationality of Art Deco, while the reductionist design, exposed fixings, and industrial materials point toward the Bauhaus and related utilitarian schools. Despite its compact scale, the piece articulates a sophisticated dialogue between form and use.

The dimensions of the accessory are 25 cm in width, 11 cm in depth, and 8.5 cm in height, equivalent to approximately 9.8 inches by 4.3 inches by 3.3 inches. The overall condition is well-preserved, with minimal oxidation to the metal surfaces and only minor wear to the wooden elements, appropriate for an object of this age.