Βιβλιοστάτες (2) - Cast iron, Όνυχας - Βίντατζ Θαλάσσια Ιταλία

Vintage Maritime Bookends with Sailing Ships – Onyx & Patinated Metal – Italy, circa 1960s

There are decorative objects…

And there are objects that quietly take control of a space.
This pair belongs to the second kind.

Two sailing ships — sails filled, course set — frozen in that precise moment before departure.
They don’t just hold books. They hold tension, direction, intent.

The translucent onyx behind them catches the light differently throughout the day: soft green, warm amber, milky stone veining — never the same twice.

Modern pieces imitate. This one doesn’t need to.

Objects like this rarely survive as a complete pair.
Once separated — they almost never meet again.
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Description & Attribution

A striking pair of mid-century bookends combining natural onyx stone with finely cast metal sailing ships.

• Origin: Italy
• Period: circa 1960s (Mid-Century Modern)
• Materials: carved onyx (multi-tone: green, honey, cream), cast metal with aged patina
• Style: maritime / nautical decorative art

The ships are richly detailed, with sculptural sails, rigging, and relief ornamentation on the hull (including heraldic motifs), typical for Italian decorative exports of the period.
Onyx bases are hand-cut, each with unique natural patterning — no two surfaces identical.
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Dimensions (each bookend)

• Height: 15 cm
• Width: 14 cm
• Depth: approx. 11 cm
• Weight: heavy and stable (solid stone base) 1.75 kg
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Condition

Good vintage condition with authentic signs of age:

• natural patina on metal (adds depth and character)
• minor wear and small surface marks on stone
• light edge wear consistent with age
• no cracks, no repairs, structurally solid

Please refer to photos — they are an integral part of the description.
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Provenance

Private European collection.
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Shipping

• Fast, secure, and carefully packed
• Tracked and insured shipping
• Dispatched within 1–3 business days
• Worldwide delivery available at reasonable cost

Each element will be individually protected to ensure safe arrival.
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Final Note

Not loud. Not flashy.
But once placed on a shelf — everything else starts orbiting around it.
And when a pair like this disappears…
it usually doesn’t come back.