BEST owl bookends Armor Bronze, signed by artist Krupka, 1920, 9\" tall, 10 lbs
![BEST owl bookends Armor Bronze, signed by artist Krupka, 1920, 9\](img-large/g/FO0AAOSwDuJWvek0/s-l1600/BEST-owl-bookends-Armor-Bronze-signed-by-artist-Kr.jpg "BEST owl bookends Armor Bronze, signed by artist Krupka, 1920, 9\")
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
BEST owl bookends Armor Bronze, signed by artist Krupka, 1920, 9\" tall, 10 lbs:
$395.00
Awesome bookends depicting an owl standing on a short pile of two open books. Not an unusual design as owls, symbols of learning and wisdom, frequently are depicted with books. What makes this design special, however, is that they are the creation of listed artist Joseph Krupka (ca. 1880 - 1917). Krupka produced other designs (rams, buffalo, elephants) for bookends.Krupka\'s name is formed into the top of the base but very faint from wear. I have included a photo from an early catalogue showing this set with attribution to Krupka.
These are bronze-clad (or electro-formed), a manufacturing technique whereby a skin of bronze was made to adhere to a plaster form through the process of electro-plating. A handful of companies used this method in the early 1900\'s to make decorative household objects that had the look, feel and heft of solid bronze pieces yet still were affordable by the middle class.
One of those early companies was Armor Bronze, the trade name used by National Metalizing Company. Armor commenced operations in NYC in the 19-teens. The catalogue mentioned above is not dated but there is an ink stamp showing 1920, so it is at least that old. On the top of the base, above Krupka\'s name, is a \"C\" with a circle around it, for copyright. This mark appears on all later Armor Bronze pieces.
Condition is near mint. No breaks in the cladding, no mashed corners on the bases. The only flaw is a small, round dent on the back of one, shown in my photos. Finish isoriginal, showing a few spots of wear on the backs where the pieces have rubbed against books for a century. Felts on the bottoms look old and could be original.
These are BIG: 9 inches tall, with base 4¾ X 4¾ inches. And heavy at 5 pounds EACH PIECE.
Perfect gift for the bird lover, seeker of wisdom, or Krupka collector in your family.
US shipping only. USPS parcel select. I pack with care.
I SPECIALIZE IN ANTIQUE BOOKENDS AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS. PLEASE SEE MY OTHER LISTINGS FOR INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL ITEMS.
BEST owl bookends Armor Bronze, signed by artist Krupka, 1920, 9\" tall, 10 lbs:
$395.00