Designer: Unknown

Item: Machine Age Art Deco Skyscraper Industrial Age Bookends

Manufactured by: Unknown

Country of origin: United States

Year made: Ca. 1930s

Materials: Copper, brass, steel, and aluminum, with black enamel paint to the bases and retaining the original felt on the bottoms.

Dimensions: 4” x 4 ½” x 3 ½”

Condition: Excellent with overall age oxidation to metals.  We chose not to touch these and they are in as found condition.  The photos show the details of their condition very well.  

Description:  Here is a truly amazing and unique pair of machine age art deco industrial age bookends with skyscraper styling constructed of plates of different metals stacked together and adhered to each other, then apparently carved out.  We are not sure how they are adhered together, but it may involve the decorative copper plates on each side.  Whatever method was used they are tight and not loosening up anytime soon.  These were most likely crafted by a very skilled machinist in a machine shop, perhaps as a commission for an architect or industrial age designer.  They date to the early 1930s.  They are extremely heavy and unlike some bookends they really can hold up books.  We have never seen another set like this and we consider them at the pinnicle of machine age design.