Antique bronze clad John Harvard bookends Marion Bronze, orig finish, huge, mint

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Antique bronze clad John Harvard bookends Marion Bronze, orig finish, huge, mint:
$795.00

Awesome bookends modeled on the 1884 statue by Daniel C.French of a seated John Harvard, which statue long has been on display at Harvard Yard.
Contrary to popular belief, John Harvard is NOT the founder of Harvard University; rather, he was the primary benefactor through his will (leaving money as well as his substantial personal library) of a school that had been established 2 years earlier, in 1636. In honor of his generosity, that school was renamed Harvard University in 1638.
There are no known paintings or likenesses of Mr. Harvard, so the sculptor, French, had to use other sources to inspire the physical appearance of Mr. Harvard as well as his style of dress.
But let\'s not allow facts to interfere with our appreciation for what is an incredible set of bookends. These were produced using the electro-forming process, essentially electro-plating a skin of bronze (or copper) over a plaster statue. More commonly known as bronze-clad, these pieces were popular in the 1920\'s and \'30s as decorative objects that had the look, feel, and heft of solid bronze, but at a cost much more affordable to the middle class.
This particular set was made by Marion Bronze, their name inscribed on the backs of the chairs. Circa late 1920\'s. This is the ONLY Marion Bronze product I ever have seen where they actually signed their name on the piece; otherwise, they used foil labels on the bottoms to identify their work.
Condition practically is mint, no breaks in the cladding, nothing dented, no mashed corners, simply no damage. The finish also is pristine (just a few tiny specks of white on the top of one chair) and has aged to rich, dark patina. Felts on the bottoms look sort of new.
These are substantial pieces, 8 inches tall; the base is 6 3/4 inches front to back; and 3 1/2 inches side to side. And heavy at 4 1/4 pounds EACH PIECE.
US shipping only. USPS parcel post, insured, delivery confirmation.
I SPECIALIZE IN ANTIQUE BOOKENDS AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS. PLEASE SEE MY OTHER LISTINGS FOR INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL ITEMS.