Bronze Finished Bookends Appraisal

Vintage Art Deco Bronze-Finished Spelter Bookends - Dancing Toddler Boys

A pair of decorative bookends featuring high-relief sculptures of young boys in a dynamic, dancing pose. These figures are constructed from cast spelter (white metal) finished with a rich bronze patina. Each toddler is depicted wearing short-sleeved shirts and overalls, capturing a mid-century Art Deco aesthetic common in the 1930s-1940s. The figures stand approximately 6 to 7 inches tall on integrated two-tiered rectangular bases. The craftsmanship exhibits typical mass-produced quality of the era with soft facial features and textured hair. Notable condition issues include significant thinning of the bronze wash on the high points of the hair and faces, exposing the grey metal beneath. There are visible spots of verdigris or green oxidation particularly on the left figure's chest and shoulder area. Minor scuffs and pitting suggest age and prolonged handling. No signature or foundry mark is visible on the forward-facing surfaces, which is consistent with decorative home wares from the early to mid-20th century. The bases are weighted to provide stability for supporting books.