Antique Paper Clip
An antique paper clip brings functional Victorian and Edwardian desk accessories into daily modern use with charm and character.
Antique Paper Clip
The pieces on this page span the Victorian and Edwardian eras, alongside pieces from the 1850s to the 1920s. Common domestic and novelty forms include butterflies, hands, horseshoes, and animals like dogs and crocodiles.
Desk clips typically combine a sprung metal mechanism with a heavy base of brass, oak, or sterling silver. They sit upon writing tables to manage daily post and notes.
Materials and construction
Makers utilised sterling silver and brass for the structural clips and mountings, often combining metals with organic materials. Tortoiseshell provides a contrasting dark panel behind pierced silver work.
Oak wood forms sturdy bases for heavy desktop letter clips, sometimes carved into horseshoe shapes or fitted with hanging brackets. Leather and carved bone or boar head details appear on page turners and specialised holders.
Antique Paper Clip Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for paper clip among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Materials across these listings include sterling silver, tortoiseshell, solid brass, oak wood, 9ct gold, and leather.
Evaluating the craftsmanship
Integration of materials defines the better examples, such as the seamless fit of tortoiseshell panels within sterling silver frames or the tension and responsiveness of the sprung hinge.
Whitehouse and Son
The Antique Paper Clip Glossary
- Letter clip
- A desktop sprung device intended for holding correspondence. These items combine utilitarian function with decorative novelty styling.
- Tortoiseshell
- The mottled brown and amber shell of certain turtle species used historically for decorative inlay. It provides a rich backing for pierced silver overlay.
- Guilloche
- An intricate mechanical engraving technique producing precise geometric patterns. It often appears beneath a translucent layer of coloured enamel.
- Paper link chain
- A style of necklace featuring elongated, flattened links resembling traditional paper clips. These gold chains date back to the Victorian period.
- Stationery tidy
- A desk accessory set designed to organise letters, notes, and writing implements. They frequently incorporate a sprung clip into their wooden or metal assembly.
Antique Paper Clip: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an antique paper clip?
An antique paper clip is typically a heavy desk accessory designed to hold letters and notes using a spring-loaded mechanism. These Victorian and Edwardian items often take whimsical animal or figural shapes.
Alternatively, the term describes a style of gold necklace chain formed of elongated, flat links reminiscent of paper clips.
How were letter clips used?
Victorian and Edwardian writers used desktop letter clips to keep incoming correspondence and notes organised before the invention of modern wire clips and staples. They sat prominently on writing desks as both functional tools and decorative conversation pieces.
Larger brass versions could also be hung on walls to display important daily reminders or bills.
How do I date an antique paper clip?
Dating relies on stylistic clues, materials, and official hallmarks stamped into the metal. Victorian and Edwardian pieces often display clear silver assay office marks and date letters corresponding to years like 1902 or 1895.
Figural subjects and manufacturing techniques also help narrow the decade of production, ranging from mid nineteenth century brass work to nineteen twenties novelties.
How do I care for silver and tortoiseshell?
Sterling silver components benefit from gentle cleaning with a soft cloth to maintain their finish without harming adjacent materials. Avoid harsh chemical dips when tortoiseshell is present.
Keep these items away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes to protect the organic shell and wooden bases from warping or drying out.