Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16

Art Deco Black and White Galalith Eagle Sculpture Bookends, circa 1930

$850per set
£642.49per set
€738.34per set
CA$1,183.62per set
A$1,316.73per set
CHF 690.25per set
MX$16,090.10per set
NOK 8,789.42per set
SEK 8,274.02per set
DKK 5,511.43per set
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This stunning French Art Deco Galalith bookend set was expertly crafted circa 1930. The set features two eagles with their wings spread. The base of the bookends is in black Galalith, and the hand-carved eagles are in the off-white color of the same material. There is no visible maker's mark. Measurements: 4.75 in wide (12 cm) by 3.13 in deep (8 cm) by 4.75 in high (12 cm). Reference: Galalith (milk stone) is a registered trademark, patented in the 1890s in Bavaria. Mainly produced in Europe during the first part of the 20th Century, this semi-synthetic plastic (Casein is the generic name) is made from skimmed milk curdled with rennet. Cured by extensive immersion in formaldehyde, it became a useful thermosetting material that can be carved or embossed in beautiful patterns. Its color doesn't change over time. The colors available are primarily plain, opaque colors, sometimes with marbling or translucency. Galalith pieces are hand-machined, sanded, and finished to ensure a seamless appearance. Inexpensive, mass-produced plastics often have machine marks, but quality ones should not. This material belongs to the family of plastics such as Bakelite, Celluloid, or Lucite. All are considered premium vintage plastic. Galalith (also incorrectly known as "French Bakelite") is not testable like genuine American Bakelite because its chemical composition is based on milk protein hardened with formaldehyde. Tests for Bakelite confirm the presence of phenol in synthetic materials, which is absent in Galalith due to the replacement by milk proteins.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)Width: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)Depth: 3.13 in (7.96 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Art Deco (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1930
  • Condition:
    The bookends are in good condition, with minor wear on the Galalith, more visible on one of the eagles. Check the close-up.
  • Seller Location:
    Atlanta, GA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 6T040CFAHBI1stDibs: LU1632245932852

More From This Seller

View All
Gucci Leather Bookends with Birds Sculptures, circa 1970
By Gucci
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gucci, Italy, designed this superb pair of handcrafted leather and metal bookends circa 1970. This rare large-scale ensemble features two gilded metal partridges resting on a hand-st...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Bookends

Materials

Brass

Onnaing France Art Deco Crackle Ceramic Seal Sculpture Bookends
By Frie Onnaing, Onnaing
Located in Atlanta, GA
These stylish Art Deco crackled ceramic bookends were created and manufactured by Onnaing, France, in the 1920s. The off-white colored, crackle-glaze ceramic or faience sculpture fea...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Bookends

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Modernist Bookends Black Granite and Glass Slab, circa 1980
By Paris Studio
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elevate your interior with these striking, architecturally designed bookends—a true modernist masterpiece from circa 1980. The bold, round glass slab is delicately etched with clouds...
Category

Vintage 1980s French Modern Bookends

Materials

Granite, Stone, Metal, Chrome

Art Deco Polished Brass and Marble LongHorn Bull Bookends
By Studio Art Deco
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning pair of Art Deco bookends was crafted in the United States circa 1940. The rare set features a stylized longhorn bull design in solid, polished brass, mounted on a geom...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Bookends

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

De Stijl Firenze Wood and Metal Bird Goose Sculpture, circa 1970
By De Stijl
Located in Atlanta, GA
The Italian company De Stijl designed this beautiful goose sculpture in Firenze. The rare piece was crafted in Italy circa 1970. The bird is finely hand-made with silvered metal and ...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Crackled Faience Elephant Sculpture Bookends by Le Moine, circa 1930
By Le Moine
Located in Atlanta, GA
Boost your interior with this rare and striking pair of Art Deco crackled ceramic bookends, exquisitely designed by renowned French animal artist Le Moine. Crafted in France circa 19...
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Bookends

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Earthenware

You May Also Like

Eagles Set of 2 Bookends
Located in Paris, FR
Bookends Eagles set of 2 made in gilt metal. On blackened metal base. Measures: L 14 x D 11.5 x H 17.5 cm each.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Bookends

Materials

Metal

Pair of Art Deco Bookends with Doves in Wood and Resin from the 1930s
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of Art Deco dove-shaped bookends, made of wood and resin in the 1930s Ø cm 15 Ø cm 9 h cm 15 The dove, a universal symbol of peace and purity, found a new expression in Art De...
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Bookends

Materials

Resin, Wood

Pair of American Federal-Style Carved Painted Bald Eagle Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Federal-style carved sculptural bald eagles with wings outstretched perching on a log base with a painted brown and white finish. (PRICED AS PAIR)(Similar eagles wit...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Art Deco Bookends with Birds
Located in Antwerp, BE
A pair of bookends from the French Art Deco period. Parrot or Paradise birds, made of casted spelter (zinc alloy) patinated in multiple colors. On onyx marble supports.
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Bookends

Materials

Onyx, Marble

Art Deco Bird Bookends in Silver Metal and Marble, France, 1930s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Art Deco Bird Bookends in Silver Metal and Marble, France, 1930s Elegant pair of French Art Deco bookends. They feature stylized birds in flig...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Bookends

Materials

Marble, Metal, Spelter

A pair of Bookends with birds signed Jamar in period Art Deco from the 1930s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of Bookends with birds signed Jamar in period Art Deco from the 1930s. Made in France by Jamar in patinated metal with a marble base. Period and beautiful birds. Wear consist...
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Bookends

Materials

Marble, Metal