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ID #SA1229223
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Pair of Ecclesiastical Carved Mahogany Library Bookends C.1860
Robert Belcher Antiques
for sale €1,697     $1,842
£1,450
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
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  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
Id #SA1229223
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Pair of Ecclesiastical Carved Mahogany Library Bookends C.1860

19th century
Description

A striking and highly decorative pair of Victorian carved mahogany library bookends, dating to circa 1860. These unusual bookends are believed to have an ecclesiastical origin, possibly having been commissioned for use within a church or other religious institution.

Expertly hand carved from dense, richly figured mahogany, each bookend is fashioned as a finely executed portrait bust of a young choir boy, displaying excellent craftsmanship and expressive detail. The busts are mounted on moulded mahogany backs and stepped bases, which serve as the functional book supports.

Substantial in both scale and weight, these bookends are ideally suited for supporting a variety of volumes while making an impressive decorative statement in a library, study, or ecclesiastical collection.

The pair remains in very good antique condition, displaying a deep, rich colour and an attractive original patina acquired over more than 160 years.

Origin: England

Date: Circa 1860

Physical Dimensions
Height
24.3cm (9.57")
Width
17.5cm (6.89")
Depth
13.5cm (5.31")
Declaration

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated these Carved Mahogany Library Bookends to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1229223
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
A striking and highly decorative pair of Victorian carved mahogany library bookends, dating to circa 1860.
These unusual bookends are believed to have an ecclesiastical origin, possibly having been commissioned for use within a church or other religious institution.
Robert Belcher Antiques
fig 1. A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases.
fig 1. Pair of Ecclesiastical Carved Mahogany Library Bookends C.1860

Expertly hand carved from dense, richly figured mahogany, each bookend is fashioned as a finely executed portrait bust of a young choir boy, displaying excellent craftsmanship and expressive detail. The busts are mounted on moulded mahogany backs and stepped bases, which serve as the functional book supports.

fig 2. A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases.
fig 2. Pair of Ecclesiastical Carved Mahogany Library Bookends C.1860

Substantial in both scale and weight, these bookends are ideally suited for supporting a variety of volumes while making an impressive decorative statement in a library, study, or ecclesiastical collection.

The pair remains in very good antique condition, displaying a deep, rich colour and an attractive original patina acquired over more than 160 years.

Origin: England

Date: Circa 1860

Height
24.3cm (9.57")
Width
17.5cm (6.89")
Depth
13.5cm (5.31")
Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated these Carved Mahogany Library Bookends to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1229223
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Robert Belcher Antiques Profile Page

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A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases.
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Archive I A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases.

Pair of Ecclesiastical Carved Mahogany Library Bookends C.1860

Archive II A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View II
Archive III A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View III
Archive IV A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View IV
Archive V A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View V
Archive VI A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View VI
Archive VII A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View IX
Archive X A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View X
Archive XI A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View XI
Archive XII A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View XIII
Archive XIV A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View XIV
Archive XV A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 406
Items Sold 667
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
406
Sold
667
A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases.
Pair of Ecclesiastical carved mahogany library bookends c.1860
Ref: SA1229223
A pair of carved mahogany bookends featuring profile busts of children mounted on L-shaped wooden bases.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Victorian Gothic Revival ecclesiastical carvings feature religious motifs, architectural tracery, or stylised figurative elements influenced by medieval church architecture. Crafted during the mid-to-late 19th century, these pieces reflect a resurgence of interest in historic craftsmanship and heavy, decorative woodwork.

Dense hardwoods such as mahogany, oak, and walnut were predominantly used for 19th-century carved bookends due to their structural weight and capacity for fine detail. These pieces were hand-carved and secured to solid L-shaped bases to support heavy bound volumes.

Authentic 19th-century carved wood bookends display subtle hand-tool marks, natural age-related patina, and timber shrinkage along the grain. Checking the base construction reveals period-appropriate joining techniques and light wear on bottom contact surfaces.

Position antique wooden bookends on a bookshelf, mantelpiece, or executive office desk to frame a curation of books. Pair them with brass accents, framed prints, or neutral ceramics to balance the detailed woodwork.

Dust the carved surfaces regularly using a soft, dry lint-free cloth or a soft-bristled brush for intricate recessed areas. Apply a high-quality beeswax polish sparingly once or twice a year to nourish the wood and maintain its natural lustre.
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