Pair of Pink Marble Bookends

The rectangular padded seat covered in brown leather, opening to reveal a set of library steps, over a solid inlaid seat-rail and ring-turned tapering legs ending in castors. 18in. high, 34 1/2in. wide and 16 1/2in. deep. Opened, 36in. high and 49in. wide. Rooms organized during the Regency period as libraries often had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The upper shelves were difficult to reach, so movable library stairs were invaluable. Further, libraries were one of the most important rooms in a stately house, symbol of its owner's wealth, culture and status. As a consequence, designers, architects and cabinet or chair makers devoted much attention to its architecture and decoration. Hence, the emrgence of innovative ideas such as our bench. Enter the Regency era metamorphic library chair/bench (chairs are more common than benches)! The tables, chairs and stools containing library steps were patented in Great Britain by Robert Campbell in 1774 but this innovative chair-based design did not become immediately popular. Once the Regency was established, a neo-classical interpretation of Campbell’s Metamorphic Library Chair concept started to become popular in London. Any early attributions rely heavily on two contemporary sketches...

Each oval beveled mirror plate within a rope-twist frame, with an apron ending in a bracket, decorated overall with rosettes, foliage, leaf tips and fluting.

Beautiful pair of Roman column green marble bookends, circa 1970s. The marble is beautifully veined and in great condition and the bookends together crea...

Attractive pair of cut marble Art Deco triangle bookends, circa 1940s. They are in original condition with a nice patina and some small chips around the corners (please see pictures)...