L&V Ceram – Pair of Elephant Bookends – Art Deco Style – Ivory Crackle Glazed Ceramic – France – 20th Century Offered for auction is a beautiful matching pair of vintage ceramic elephant bookends by L&V Ceram, a French manufacturer associated with decorative ceramics and stylised animal sculptures. These attractive bookends feature two elephants with raised and gracefully curved trunks, standing on rectangular bases in front of upright book supports. The elephants form a complementary left-and-right pair, making them particularly suitable for displaying books in a library, study, office, living room or decorative bookcase. Both bookends carry the L&V CERAM manufacturer's mark on their undersides, as clearly visible in the photographs. Design and period The design shows strong influences from the Art Deco movement, characterised by elegant silhouettes, stylised animal figures, balanced proportions and sculptural simplicity. L&V Ceram produced decorative animal ceramics during the 20th century. Comparable pieces have been attributed to different decades, including the Art Deco period and the mid-to-late 20th century. The exact production date of these particular elephant bookends has not been established. They are therefore described as 20th-century vintage ceramics in the Art Deco style. Their design also appeals to collectors of mid-century decorative objects, French vintage pottery, retro interiors and European animalier sculpture. Material and finish The bookends are made of glazed ceramic, most likely faience or earthenware, with a glossy ivory-white, cream-coloured glaze. The entire surface displays a beautiful network of fine crackle lines, commonly described as craquelure, crackle glaze or crackleware. This distinctive glazed finish gives the elephants and their bases an attractive vintage appearance and highlights their sculptural details, including their ears, legs, bodies, tails and curved trunks. In certain areas, the fine craquelure lines have darkened over time, creating a subtle contrast within the ivory glaze. This natural age-related discolouration adds character and enhances the authentic vintage appearance of the ceramics. The underside of each bookend features the L&V CERAM mark, together with openings associated with their hollow ceramic construction. Dimensions The approximate dimensions of each individual bookend are: Height: 14.9 cm Length: 13.7 cm Width: 10.1 cm Quantity: 2 bookends, forming one matching pair. Decorative and collecting interest Elephants have traditionally been popular subjects in decorative arts, symbolising strength, wisdom, longevity and good fortune. These ivory-coloured elephant figures combine decorative animal sculpture with the practical function of keeping books upright. They are suitable for collectors of elephant figurines, elephants, animal sculptures, wild animals, wildlife ceramics, safari animals, exotic animals, African wildlife themes, elephant statues, animal ornaments, pottery figurines and vintage animal collectibles. They are also of interest to collectors of French ceramics, French pottery, Art Deco, Art Deco-style ceramics, animalier art, vintage sculptures, decorative faience, earthenware, glazed pottery, craquelure ceramics, crackle-glazed pottery, ivory ceramics, cream-coloured ceramics and 20th-century decorative arts. The matching pair is particularly attractive as vintage bookends, ceramic bookends, elephant bookends, animal bookends, bookshelf accessories, book holders, book supports, library decorations, reading room accessories, desk decorations, office ornaments and interior design objects. Their understated ivory finish makes them suitable for Art Deco, retro, vintage, mid-century, traditional, eclectic and contemporary interiors. Condition Both bookends are in very good vintage condition, especially considering their age. There are no chips. The original glossy ivory glaze has been well preserved and displays an attractive network of fine craquelure throughout the surfaces. In some areas, the crackle lines have become slightly darker over time, a characteristic commonly seen in older glazed ceramics. This age-related patina contributes to their authentic vintage charm and decorative character. The undersides show some normal signs of age and handling, including surface marks and discolouration. Overall, this is a very well-preserved and attractive matching pair of vintage ceramic elephant bookends. Please carefully examine all photographs for a complete impression of the condition. The photographs form an integral part of the description. A decorative matching pair The combination of two complementary elephant figures, glossy ivory crackle glaze, original L&V CERAM markings and practical bookend construction makes these pieces an attractive addition to an animal-themed collection or a vintage interior. An appealing pair for enthusiasts of elephants, animal figurines, French decorative ceramics, Art Deco design, mid-century collectibles and unusual bookends. Shipping Both ceramic bookends will be carefully packed and individually protected, with particular attention to the delicate projecting parts, including the elephants' trunks and ears. They will be shipped together in a sturdy cardboard box with protective packaging and track and trace. A beautiful pair of vintage French elephant bookends by L&V Ceram, combining decorative wildlife sculpture, ivory crackle-glazed pottery and timeless Art Deco-inspired design.