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For your consideration is a stunning, matching pair of vintage Chinoiserie Mid-Century Modern L-shaped corner abacus bookends. Handcrafted circa 1960s–1970s, these exceptional library accents feature two interconnected suanpan counting frames joined at a fixed 90-degree right angle, designed to anchor a row of books elegantly on a desk or shelf.
Constructed from a dense, richly grained dark hardwood—characteristic of high-quality Asian export rosewood—the frames boast hand-turned wooden counting beads mounted on smooth bamboo rods. The corners are reinforced with beautifully aged, heavy brass corner bracket braces that retain a gorgeous natural vintage patina.
Fascinatingly, these bookends showcase a brilliant piece of mid-century industrial design history: they were manufactured using the exact same premium modular chassis components as the iconic abacus table lamps of the era. The tops feature the original integrated threaded brass hinge spines, while the heavy block bases provide excellent stability for heavier literary collections.
An exceptional decorative addition to any mid-century modern, Hollywood Regency, or scholarly library collection.
Condition:
Excellent vintage condition. The wood exhibits a beautiful, deep original luster with minimal surface wear. All wooden counting beads slide smoothly and completely along their rods. The brass hardware is secure with an authentic, unpolished aged patina. (Note: These pieces feature top threaded hinge hardware characteristic of their modular factory assembly).
Dimensions (Approximate per bookend):
*** A bit dusty due to storage and/or display. Thanks
