Skip to main content

Blenko Desk Accessories

A producer of hand-blown glass since 1893, Blenko Glass is currently headquartered in Milton, West Virginia, where it has operated since 1921. Among its many illustrious projects are the stained-glass windows it produced for St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Washington National Cathedral. Blenko is known today for the brilliant colors of its glass vessels and objects—particularly those produced in the 1950s and ’60s—which range from jewel-like blues and greens to brilliant reds and yellows.

The company was founded by William J. Blenko, an English immigrant who was apprenticed to a glassmaker in his native London as a young man. Blenko developed expertise in the production of rondels, the round panes used in stained glass windows. His interest in the potential of natural gas to fire glass furnaces led him to Milton, where abundant reserves of the fuel had attracted a pool of skilled glassblowers. Under the name Eureka Glass, his company began making window glass in 1923, and in 1925, he was joined in the business by his son, William H. Blenko.

When the Great Depression quelled demand for stained glass, William J. Blenko brought local Milton glassblowers into the company to begin producing stem- and tableware, products for which the company, which changed its name to Blenko in 1930, is now best known. Up until the end of World War II, Blenko’s tableware designs were fairly straightforward, and they sold well at American department such as Gump’s, in San Francisco. The company was also commissioned in 1930 to produce a line of reproductions for Colonial Williamsburg.

In 1947, the company hired as its art director Winslow Anderson, who introduced artful, fanciful and modern vessels and objects in vibrant colors. This began what collectors refer to as Blenko’s “historic period.” A number of Anderson’s designs were honored by the Museum of Modern Art’s Good Design Awards in 1950, and throughout the 1950’s and ‘60s, the company enjoyed robust sales and critical acclaim. The forms Blenko produced during this period followed the contemporary vogue for biomorphism, or organic modernism, which favored rounded and fluid shapes inspired by nature.

One of Blenko’s most influential designers, Wayne Husted, who was active from 1953 to ’63, is credited with aligning Blenko’s products with the prevailing mid-century modern aesthetic by pushing the envelope on both form and color, particularly in his wedge-cut and Spool decanters and his Echoes series. Joel Philip Myers, who designed for Blenko in the 1960s, brought a sense of whimsy and visual excess to the product line, in keeping with the psychedelic look favored during the period.

Blenko Glass still produces many of its classic designs in items ranging from stemware and tableware to decorative objects and ornamental decanters. Among collectors, pieces created under Husted’s creative direction are of special interest. The company has come to the attention of younger audiences through the documentaries Blenko: Hearts of Glass and Blenko Retro: Three Designers of American Glass, both of which aired on PBS. Blenko also designed the glass award trophy for the Country Music Awards.

3
to
3
3
3
3
2
1
3
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
3
1
3
3
63
203
150
65
61
Creator: Blenko
Blenko Desk Weight
By Blenko Glass
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon and handmade glass desk weight in luminous tones of amber and red advertising the Blenko Glass works.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Blenko Glass Shell Bookends
By Blenko Glass
Located in New York, NY
1970s Blenko glass clear glass shell bookends.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Glass Pyramid Stud Bookends by Blenko, Pair
By Blenko Glass
Located in New York, NY
A pair of solid glass textured 'pyramid' stud bookends from Blenko Glass, circa late-20th to early 21st century, USA. Glass is clear with a hint of an ice blue hue.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Related Items
Solid Glass Block Bookends By Blenko
By Blenko Glass
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Solid Glass Block Bookends By Blenko, textured edge.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Brilliant Cobalt Blue Glass Paper Weight with Bubbles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A brilliant cobalt Blue hand Blown glass paperweight. The color and size are very nice... the weight is heavy and substantial - great for ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Cathy Graham Decoupage Paper Weight
Located in New York, NY
Handmade decoupage paper weight, designed by Cathy Graham and crafted by Scott Potter.
Category

2010s American Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
This set of bookends serves more for decoration than its intended purpose because they are quite small and light in weight. We like the set because of its simplicity and because they...
Category

20th Century Unknown Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Iron

Bookends
Bookends
H 4 in W 3.75 in D 2.25 in
Vintage Inspired Contemporary Pineapple Glass Bookend in Olive
By Felekşan Onar
Located in Istanbul, TR
Mouth blown and hand carved olive color glass pineapple coupled with cast metal stand and leaf motif to work as a bookend or an accent piece in timeless interiors.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Salta Medium Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Onyx, Stone, Metal

Midcentury Italian Travertine Bookends
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of triangular/geometric travertine bookends from Italy.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine

Midcentury Italian Travertine Bookends
Midcentury Italian Travertine Bookends
H 7.75 in W 3 in D 5.75 in
Mould for Bookend by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Located in Geneve, CH
Mould for bookend by Theodora Alfredsdottir Unique piece Materials: MDF Dimensions: 19 x 22 x 10 cm Theodora Alfredsdottir is a product design studio based in London. Theodor...
Category

2010s English Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic, Wood

Mould for Bookend by Theodora Alfredsdottir
Mould for Bookend by Theodora Alfredsdottir
H 3.94 in W 8.67 in D 7.49 in
Reclining Ho Ho Boy Charm Weight, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th century weight originally used its heft domestically to protect a child. A simple yet ingenious concept, the stone anchored the baby’s swaddling cloth to the bed so the chi...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Ceramic

Chambered Nautilus Shell Art Glass Paperweight
By Murano 5
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Chambered Nautilus Shell Art Glass Paperweight. Murano style art glass in brown and transparent with gold murine. Wrythen glass is created by twisting external parallel groove or r...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Art Glass

Dice Metal Statue Paper Weight Mid-Century Modern, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Super cool Art Deco design sculptural "High Roller" dice paperweight. Nice dice atop a nickel base. The best addition to your desk or every room.
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Pair of Blue Organic Geode Bookends
Located in Miami, FL
An impressive pair of blue organic geode bookends with a long history. Brightly colored with naturally formed patterns caused by fossilization over hundreds of years. Finished with a...
Category

20th Century American Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Stone

Previously Available Items
Blenko Cast Glass Owl Bookends
By Joel Myers, Blenko Glass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
1960s handcrafted pair of thick clear solid glass bookends designed by Joel Myers for Blenko. No label.
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Blenko Cast Glass Owl Bookends
Blenko Cast Glass Owl Bookends
H 7 in W 5 in D 2 in
Pair of Joel Myers for Blenko Glass Elephant Bookends
By Joel Myers, Blenko Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of glass bookends by Joel Myers for Blenko, c.1960s, USA are a stunning teal color. Each bookend depicts an elephant figure embedded in the chunky glass semi-circle form. T...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Pair of Blenko Glass Bookends
By Blenko Glass
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Pair of glass handmade bookends made by Blenko. Each one look like a chunky half circle block of ice. Blenko sticker bookend.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

Pair of Blenko Glass Bookends
Pair of Blenko Glass Bookends
H 5 in W 5 in D 2.5 in
Pair of Blenko Glass Bookends
By Blenko Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of glass bookends by Blenko each feature a chunky half semi circle form that simulates the look of a block of ice. [Blenko Handmade] sticker on side of each bookend. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Pair of Blenko Glass Bookends
Pair of Blenko Glass Bookends
H 5 in W 5 in D 2.5 in
Pair of Amber Blenko Glass Owl Bookends
By Blenko Glass
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Amber Blenko glass owl bookends. Flat and smooth on one side and bumpy and carved on the other. These are great for the owl lover an...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Pair of Blenko Glass Bear Bookends
By Blenko Glass
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Blenko Glass Bear Bookends. Heavy molded clear glass in the shape of a bear. Fun for any kids room or Hunters office. These whimsical bookends ca...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Blenko Fish Bookends
By Blenko Glass
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Blenko fish bookends. Midcentury era, pair of Blenko, thick glass fish bookends. Solid, hand blown, with the back side being a s...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Massive Clear Half Moon Glass Bookend or Door Stopper, Wayne Husted for Blenko
By Blenko Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Massive clear half moon glass bookend designed by Wayne Husted for Blenko, circa 1960s. In great condition no chips or cracks.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Blown Glass

Whimsical Emerald Green Glass Owl Bookend or Paperweight by Blenko
By Blenko Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique emerald green glass owl by Blenko. Thick, heavy glass piece would work well as a bookend, paperweight or a home decor item.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

Glass Pyramid Stud Bookends by Blenko, Pair
By Blenko Glass
Located in New York, NY
A pair of solid glass textured 'pyramid' stud bookends from Blenko Glass, circa late-20th to early 21st century, USA. Glass is clear with a hint of an ice blue hue.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Pair of Blenko Handblown Glass and Chrome Fish Lamps
By Blenko Glass
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful pair of vintage Blenko glass and chrome lamps in the shape of a fish. Blenko Glass Company has been a family owned and operated company...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Blenko Desk Accessories

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Modernist Hand Blown Ice Glass Bookends by Blenko
By Blenko Glass
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of vintage modern individually hand blown glass bookends. The bookends are comprised of two half circles or demilune glass blocks with ice glass design. Can be used as decorative objects or desk accessory . Signed Blenko.
Category

20th Century American Blenko Desk Accessories

Blenko desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Blenko desk accessories are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Blenko desk accessories, although orange editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desk accessories by Blenko were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. Prices for Blenko desk accessories can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $450 and can go as high as $495, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $473.
Questions About Blenko Desk Accessories
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Identifying a Blenko lamp often comes down to studying the forms and shapes of authentic Blenko lamps and comparing similar pieces. Since the majority of Blenko glass lamps will no longer have the sticker that was used for identification, you can look at books that are basically reprints of the annual Blenko catalogue, visit a collector-run website, or have a professional assessor look at it. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Blenko lamps from top sellers worldwide.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Blenko glass is hand-blown sheet glass that is used for stained glass windows or architectural glass. The Blenko Glass Company is most recognized for their work with the St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Shop a wide selection of Blenko glass goods on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To know if glassware is Blenko glass, you will likely need to seek the help of a licensed appraiser. Blenko did not sign most pieces and did not create specific patterns. As a result, it is usually not possible to identify Blenko glass using only online resources. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted Blenko glassware.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, Blenko glass is still made. The Blenko Glass Company produces their products at a company-owned factory in Milton, West Virginia. It opened in 1921 and is well known for producing decorative bottles, bowls and vases. Find a selection of Blenko glass on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    West Virginia-based Blenko Glass Company made its beloved jewel-toned, hand-blown glass lamps from 1947 through 1963. The company, established in 1893, has operated out of Milton, WV, since 1921, and started out producing glass vases and decanters. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Blenko pieces from top sellers worldwide.

Recently Viewed

View All