Desk Set
Object NameDesk Set
MediumPaper, leather and bronze
ClassificationsDecorative Arts, Metal
Credit LineIn the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Object number83.5.3a-g
Status
On viewLabel TextThe desk set, a coordinated collection of writing and office accessories, became a hallmark of organized workspaces during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Industrial Revolution brought mass-produced paper, creating a need for dedicated writing tools and accessories. In the Victorian era, these desk sets typically included items such as an inkwell, blotter, pen tray, letter holder, and sometimes a calendar or clock, often crafted from matching materials like wood, glass, brass, or silver. Desk sets were designed to combine functionality with elegance, reflecting the period’s emphasis on propriety, efficiency, and decorative taste in both home and professional offices.
Locations
- (not entered) Iowa State University, Farm House Museum
