Art deco Bookends in the form of Elephants. A pair of cold painted spelter elephants with raised trunks standing on marble bases. Unsigned. French c 1930. Approx height 18cm base 23 x 9 cm.History of the bookendDuring mediaeval times the vast majority of people were not literate, only monks and scholars would have owned books. Vast, hand written and richly illustrated books would have been kept chained to lecterns. By the Renaissance period books had became more available, yet even then, only wealthy and learned individuals would have been able to own a small collection – enough to keep stacked horizontally in a small pile. It was not until around the end of the 16th century that books became more accessible and collections grew to the size of libraries. Now, the need for categorical systems for arranging books meant that vertical storage was more practical, as well for ease of moving and removing books. Book shelves and heavy bookends became a necessity to store collection...