Four Sets of Rare and Exceptional Bookends

by Stephen J. Gertz

We have an affection for fine bookends at Booktryst. A colleague is now offering four outstanding and collectible examples we thought we'd share with you.

Nudes on Books.    [American]: Nuart Creations, [ca. 1929].

(8.5 x 4.25 x 2.5 inches). Just over 5 pounds the pair. Pot  metal  with a  warm  bronze  finish. Both stamped "© Nuart N.Y.C.", and retain most of the original felt bottoms. A  couple tiny spots of loss to finish, small dings to both girls' noses, but still an exquisite  set.

Yes, we prefer our ladies with a warm bronze finish with their original felt bottoms, a few dings on the nose an ethnic plus. It demonstrates character; these beauts have been around, and are proud of the face they've earned, screw cosmetic surgery.

Nuart Creations was known for its attractive and  inventive Art  Deco  female  figures,  of which  this  rare pair is a prime example.

Variant of Kuritzky, Collector's Encyclopedia of Bookends. Identification & Values 1182.

Perfect Symmetry.    [American: Glauber, ca. 1925].

(9 x 5.5 x 3.25 inches). Almost 9 pounds the pair. Solid bronze.

Variant of Kuritzky, Collector's Encyclopedia of Bookends. Identification & Values 1208.

I know that many Booktryst readers are dog lovers. Below, a pair of gorgeous  greyhounds, albeit gold.

Greyhounds.    [Unknown Manufacturer, n.d.].

(7.25 x 3.5 x 5 inches). 8 pounds the pair. Cast of gold finished gray metal, set on marble bases.

There's an Art Deco-Egyptian deity quality to these bookends that is particularly attractive; a handsome pair.

Variant of Kuritzky, Collector's Encyclopedia of Bookends. Identification & Values 424.

We move from the cool and remote idols above, to the nearly-too-cute-for-words-I-may-go-into-diabetic-shock-yet-gosh-darned-adorable dogs below.

Dogs on Black Leather Chairs.  New York: Nuart Creations, [ca. 1935].
(158 x 145 mm.) Four and a half pounds the pair. Cream-colored metal dogs on black painted chairs, also metal. One with its original felt bottom, the other lacking, aw shucks, both stamped  "© Nuart Creations N.Y.C. Made in USA."

Kuritzky, Collector's Encyclopedia of Bookends. Identification & Values 1230.

I'm just thankful that the dogs are on black leather and not in it, with collar, muzzle, and chain leash: An ASPCA Vice-Squad nightmare!
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Images courtesy of Dragon Books, which is currently offering these  bookends, with our thanks (for the pix).
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When Bookends Become Works Of Art

 Albanico Bookend by Seth Rolland.

These bookends, capturing the leaves of a book in flip motion, are carved by furniture designer Seth Rolland from - amazingly - a single piece of wood.

"For many years now I have been experimenting with the dramatic, fluid and graceful forms that can be created by cutting one piece of wood most, but not all the way through and then expanding it.  This method has led to clean, honest forms where the structure is the ornamentation.  As you can see from the photo above, it is still one piece of wood.  Open it like an accordion and simply connect it to make a useful, strong, sculptural bookend. You can order them from me or get them at the Bellevue Art Museum in Washington, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design, or The Gallery on Bainbridge Island" (Seth Rolland).

They are made from sustainably harvested ash, are 11” x 2” x 11” high, feature a non-toxic, oil-based finish, and are $120 each, $240 per pair.
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