Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

Brocante and Curiosa brought to you by {name}


Zhu Chen


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.
________________________________________

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.
________________________________________

Dimensions (each bookend)

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

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.
________________________________________

Provenance

Private European collection.
________________________________________

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.
________________________________________

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.


Italy -   - 1950-1960

Bookends (2) - Cast iron, Onyx - Vintage Maritime Italy

Home & Garden Decor

Reserve price

No reserve price

Closing date

Thursday

Wednesday

tomorrow

Saturday

Friday

today

Sunday

26 October

27 October

28 October

30 October

Budget

From

Location

The Netherlands

Italy

Belgium

France

Germany

Spain

Portugal

Denmark

Poland

Hong Kong

United Kingdom

Japan

Romania

Latvia

Türkiye

Sweden

Bulgaria

Greece

Austria

Finland

Lithuania

India

Switzerland

Estonia

Ireland

Size

S (10–40 cm)

M (40–80 cm)

L (80–120 cm)

XS (under 10 cm)

XL (120–160 cm)

XXL (over 160 cm)

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Brand

SLC Illumina

Herstal

Swarovski

Sooka Interior

Val Saint Lambert

His Masters Voice

Parastone

Villeroy & Boch

Other brand

Hutschenreuther

Cloudnola

Dyberg Larsen

Iittala

Kosta Boda

La Murrina

Herda

Capodimonte

Fratelli Reguitti

Deknudt

Sevres

Luminarc

Zsolnay

Christofle

Daum Frères

Object

Sculpture

Statue

Decorative ornament

Table lamp

Bonsai tree

Figurine

Vase

Raw mineral

Lantern

Chandelier

Carved skull

Jewellery box

Chess set

Wall decoration

Figure

Lamp

Walking stick

Carving

Fossilised wood

Christmas decoration

Print

Magazine rack

Hanging lamp

Giclée

Globe

Country of origin

Europe

Indonesia

Netherlands

Asia

United States

China

Papua New Guinea

Unknown

Russia

Zimbabwe

Material

Wood

Glass

Bronze

Metal

Iron

Brass

Resin

Cast iron

Marble

Plastic

Steel

Crystal

Ceramic

Shell

Copper

Porcelain

Wrought iron

Stone

Textile

Gilt brass

Leather

Paper

Alloy

Aluminium

Gender

Unisex

Women

Condition

As new - unused

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Excellent condition

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Good condition

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good

Natural

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Very good

Mint

Near mint

Excellent

In very good condition

Fair condition

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Good condition, see description

Fair

Good condition, used with some signs of wear

Poor - heavily used with major cracks, damages or major parts missing

Brand New

As new, unused without original packaging

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Extras

No extra's

+ Extra item (see description)

Original parts

with original box

Power supply

tuning key

Case

Without original box

In replacement packaging

open

in original packaging

Home & Garden Decor

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Bookends (2) - Cast iron, Onyx - Vintage Maritime Italy

Popular in Home & Garden Decor

4242 objects

Related collections