Desk set - Wood, Metal, Bakelite

Mid-Century Desk Set with Perpetual Calendar, Paper Punch and Magnifying Glass – c.1960

A charming mid-century desk set comprising three complementary office accessories: a perpetual desk calendar with integrated pen holder, a cast-metal paper punch mounted on a wooden base, and a brass magnifying glass.

The perpetual calendar displays the day, date and month through manually adjustable rotating mechanisms housed within a brushed metal frame with gold-toned accents. Mounted on a solid wooden base, it is accompanied by a pen holder fitted with a black bakelite-style pen, reflecting the clean and practical design language of mid-20th century office equipment.

The accompanying paper punch features a robust cast-metal construction finished in green enamel and mounted on a shaped wooden base. The punching mechanism operates correctly and remains fully functional, demonstrating the durable construction typical of mid-century office equipment. Its industrial appearance contrasts attractively with the refined lines of the calendar, illustrating the functional aesthetics of post-war office furnishings.

Completing the ensemble is a brass magnifying glass with a turned handle, an accessory traditionally associated with office, administrative and correspondence work.

Together, the three pieces form an appealing decorative grouping that captures the atmosphere of a mid-century office or study. Combining wood, metal, brass and early plastic materials, the set embodies the practical elegance characteristic of the 1950s and 1960s.