“Literature” Roman Scribe 1920s Pompeian Bronze Bookends

Classical scene of ancient Rome, made circa 1921 by the Pompeian Bronze Company. A pair of figural book ends, electroformed bronze-clad (bronze over plaster) with original polychrome paint (red, blue, black, and a few traces of heavily crazed white) — in amazingly good condition considering their age. Gorgeous dark bronze and copper patina. Substantial weight and nicely functional design. Rare, especially in this condition.

Listed in the Library of Congress, Catalogue of Copyright Entries: Literature, by Peter Manfredi (Model of book-end showing male figure seated reading open book on knee) © August 31, 1921, Pompeian Bronze Co., New York.

Shown in the 1921 Pompeian catalog as “Literature, #113”. Number 1595, “Roman Scribe”, in Kuritzky and De Costa collector’s guide.

SPECS: Each measures about 7.0" tall by 3.4" wide at the elbows, the rectangular base is about 6.0" by 2.4", the pair weighs in at 8 lbs 0 oz. Marked "Pompeian Bronze Co. NY" in an oval on the base, below his back. One of them has a very slight bulge in the bottom near the front — a minor manufacturing anomaly and difficult to see, it is less than 1mm thick — but it allows you to rock it a bit when it is on a flat hard surface, were you to attach a piece of felt to the bottom it would likely not rock, but either way it is a minor issue, see the photo with ruler and pointer. No breaks, tears, or repairs to the bronze cladding.