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Pair of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian
Sold by London Fine Antiques
sold SA1002165
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

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Pair of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian

19th century
Sold 3 July 2025 · London Fine Antiques
This “Pair of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian” found a buyer.

It was listed by London Fine Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

This is a pair of antique Marly Horse bookends. A French, bronze and slate Grand Tour book rest, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1860.

Substantial bookends with striking golden finish and famous subject matter

Displaying a desirable aged patina and in good order throughout

Superb bronze figures sit atop black slate podium bases with a flat edge to the reverse

Great weight in the hand at 3.78kg (8.33 lb) and 3.69kg (8.13 lb) respectively

Two horses rear up as their grooms struggle to contain their power

Superb craftsmanship captures the majesty of each horse

Defined, muscular haunches give a fine sense of motion

Further detailed with flowing mane and serpentine tail

A look of surprise and fear captured on the groom's faces

Delicate reigns their only means of asserting control

Their athletic form depicts primitive nature - a break from the mythological references of the time

Commissioned by King Louis XV, they originally stood in the gardens of the Chateau de Marly

This is an exceptional pair of antique Marly Horse bookends, of delightful weight and finish. Suitable for the drawing room, home library or an institution. Delivered polished and ready to display.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 9.5cm (3.75'')

Max Depth: 19cm (7.5'')

Max Height: 27cm (10.75'')

Weight: 3.69kg and 3.78kg

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated these Antique Marly Horse Bookends to the Victorian era.

Physical Dimensions
Height
27cm (10.63")
Width
9.5cm (3.74")
Depth
19cm (7.48")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1002165
Dealers Internal Reference
18.9371
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is a pair of antique Marly Horse bookends. A French, bronze and slate Grand Tour book rest, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1860.

Substantial bookends with striking golden finish and famous subject matter

fig 1. A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases.
fig 1. Pair of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian

Displaying a desirable aged patina and in good order throughout

Superb bronze figures sit atop black slate podium bases with a flat edge to the reverse

Great weight in the hand at 3.78kg (8.33 lb) and 3.69kg (8.13 lb) respectively

fig 2. A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases.
fig 2. Pair of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian

Two horses rear up as their grooms struggle to contain their power

Superb craftsmanship captures the majesty of each horse

Defined, muscular haunches give a fine sense of motion

Further detailed with flowing mane and serpentine tail

fig 3. A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases.
fig 3. Pair of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian

A look of surprise and fear captured on the groom's faces

Delicate reigns their only means of asserting control

Their athletic form depicts primitive nature - a break from the mythological references of the time

fig 4. A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases.
fig 4. Pair of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian

Commissioned by King Louis XV, they originally stood in the gardens of the Chateau de Marly

This is an exceptional pair of antique Marly Horse bookends, of delightful weight and finish. Suitable for the drawing room, home library or an institution. Delivered polished and ready to display.

fig 5. A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases.
fig 5. Pair of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian

Dimensions:

Max Width: 9.5cm (3.75'')

Max Depth: 19cm (7.5'')

Max Height: 27cm (10.75'')

Weight: 3.69kg and 3.78kg

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

“
We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.
London Fine Antiques
fig 6. A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases.
fig 6. Pair of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated these Antique Marly Horse Bookends to the Victorian era.

Height
27cm (10.63")
Width
9.5cm (3.74")
Depth
19cm (7.48")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1002165
Dealers Internal Ref
18.9371
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

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A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Pair of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian

Archive II A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View II
Archive III A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View III
Archive IV A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View IV
Archive V A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View V
Archive VI A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View VI
Archive VII A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View IX
Archive X A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View X
Archive XI A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View XI
Archive XII A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 950
Items Sold 5,661
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
950
Sold
5,661
A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases.
Pair Of Antique Marly Horse Bookends, French, Grand Tour, Book Rest, Victorian
Ref: SA1002165
A pair of gilt bronze Marly horse sculptures mounted on stepped black marble bases.
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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.
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBookends
  • Period19th century
  • StyleNeoclassical
  • MaterialBronze, Marble
  • ColourGold
  • MotifsRampant horses, Handlers in classical drapery, Stepped plinth bases
  • SizeH 27 cm (11 in) x W 9.5 cm (4 in) x D 19 cm (7 in)

The original Marly horses were commissioned by Louis XV in the 18th century from sculptor Guillaume Coustou for the Chateau de Marly, depicting unruly steeds restrained by their handlers.

These decorative objects were traditionally cast in bronze, often featuring gilt or patinated finishes, and mounted on bases crafted from slate, marble, or black stone.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit fine detail in the casting, natural age-related patination, and hand-finished chasing, along with construction methods consistent with 19th-century metalwork.

They can be positioned on a study desk, mantelpiece, or bookshelf to anchor collections of heavy volumes, adding classical sculptural form and metallic contrast to contemporary shelving.

Preservation requires dusting gently with a soft, dry cloth and avoiding chemical polishes or abrasive cleaners that can strip the historic patina from the metal.
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