Mid-Century Grand Tour Style Sculptural Column Bookends in Marble and Onyx, 1970s, Set of 2

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Refined and sculptural set of bookends, composed of two pieces representing the evocative ruins of fluted classical columns, inspired by … Read more Refined and sculptural set of bookends, composed of two pieces representing the evocative ruins of fluted classical columns, inspired by ancient Greek or Roman architecture. Dating to approximately the mid-20th century, these neoclassical-style bookends feature elegant rectangular bases in gray and pearl-white marble. Mounted atop each base is a monumental fragment of a fluted column, finely carved from white onyx, giving the pieces a striking architectural presence and luminous surface. The design clearly recalls the tradition of Grand Tour souvenirs, a custom that emerged in the 18th century among European aristocracy, who traveled throughout Italy and the Mediterranean in search of the origins of classical civilization. Objects like these were created to evoke the romance of antiquity and the timeless beauty of classical ruins. Both bookends are intact and in good vintage condition. Decorative yet functional, they make an elegant and cultured accent for a bookshelf, desk, or interior inspired by classical, neoclassical, or mid-century aesthetics. See less