Art Deco Maroon Marble Bookends, France, 1930s, Set of 2

A pair of bookends featuring a striking, geometric design, crafted from a combination of natural marbles in a variety of colors and patterns. Their structure consists of vertical, rectangular slabs of dark red marble set on black, rectangular bases. The lower part of each bookend is complemented by a light, creamy-white element with a gently curved profile, paired with a smaller fragment of red stone. The composition is rounded out by a black, spherical form placed at the base. The design is based on a contrasting combination of colors and forms: deep red, off-white, and black. The juxtaposition of vertical planes with rounded elements lends the objects an architectural character, while the polished surfaces bring out the stone’s natural texture and tonal variations. Each coaster features a unique pattern arrangement, allowing the pair to form a cohesive yet not entirely symmetrical whole. The solid stone construction ensures adequate weight and stability during use. The carefully crafted combination of materials and the decorative, geometric form align these objects with the aesthetics of French Art Deco. They are examples of functional objects from the interwar period in which form is combined with a sophisticated treatment of natural stone.