Art Deco lignum vitae bookends c1920. This pair of Deco bookends were made for solid lignum vitae, a very hard tropical wood. Each bookend measures 6 and one quarter inches high and sits on a five inch by five inch base. Over all the pair measures 10 inches long, five inches wide and six inches high. This pair is very strong an could several books without a problem. It is a hard, dense and durable wood, one of the densest woods in the trade. The wood was important for uses requiring strength, weight and hardness. The Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton's ship Endurance was ribbed with lignum vitae. Due to its weight, cricket bails, particularly 'heavy bails' used in windy conditions, are sometimes made of this wood. The wood also has seen widespread historical usage in mortars and pestles.The Lignum Vitae is the national tree of the Bahamas. Taken from wikipedia.org This piece is on display in our gallery at Old Saybrook Antiques Center and can be seen in-person by visiting 756 Middlesex Tpke Old Saybrook, CT 06475. For hours of operation visit: http://www.OldSaybrookAntiques.com

Art Deco
Art Deco Accessories