Late 19th Century Rare Victorian Onyx Adjustable Bookstand With Hardstone Flowers, Sterling Mounts

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An exceptionally decorative and unusual Victorian adjustable bookstand, or book slide, dating to the late 19th century, distinguished by its … Read more An exceptionally decorative and unusual Victorian adjustable bookstand, or book slide, dating to the late 19th century, distinguished by its beautifully figured pale green onyx construction and elaborate three-dimensional floral ornamentation.

The two substantial, rounded upright ends are fashioned from richly veined translucent onyx, displaying delicate parallel bands of ivory, cream, pale green, and warm amber. Each is embellished with a remarkably intricate arrangement of sculpted roses, rosebuds, foliage, and small turquoise-blue berries, executed in contrasting colored materials, apparently including carved hardstones. The flowers are rendered in soft shades of white and blush pink, their individually modeled petals lending an extraordinary sense of depth and naturalism to the compositions.

The bookstand incorporates an ingenious adjustable sliding mechanism, allowing the two upright supports to move apart to accommodate varying numbers of books. When not in use, the ends fold down against the base, creating a compact and attractive object.

Combining the Victorian fascination with natural materials, elaborate floral decoration, and ingenious mechanical devices, this remarkable bookstand is both a functional library accessory and an exceptionally handsome decorative object, ideally suited to a distinguished library, writing desk, or collector's cabinet.

Dimensions provided are with bookends raised. See less