Heavy vintage elephant bookends with pewter finish and classic PM Craftsman styling, a strong pair for library shelves, desks, or study decor
Details
• Item: Pair of vintage sitting elephant bookends
• Maker: Philadelphia Manufacturing Company / PM Craftsman
• Material: Cast composite or metal-weighted bookends with a pewter-tone finish
• Finish: Soft pewter-look metallic finish with shaded highlights
• Size: Approximately 5.25 inches tall x 4 inches wide/deep each
• Weight: Approximate total weight noted as 6.13
Style notes
• Form: Matching seated elephant figures with raised trunks and curled legs
• Color palette: Pewter silver with warmer bronzed undertones in the highlights
• Base: Felted bottoms with original labels still present
• Style notes: Substantial mid-century animal bookends with practical weight and sculptural charm
Suggested uses: Bookends, shelf styling, desk decor, paperweights, or small doorstops
Reading Vintage connection: This pair fits naturally into the Reading Vintage world as library decor—they were made to sit beside books and look especially good with classic hardcovers, safari titles, children’s animal stories, or collected shelf displays
Books are used for props only and are not included.
Condition Grade: Very Good
Positives:
• Both bookends are present and make a matched pair
• Overall shape and detailing are well preserved
• Metallic finish remains attractive and even overall
• Felted bottoms are still attached on both pieces
• Original labels are still present on the undersides
• Both display well from the front, side, and shelf-styled angles
• No obvious cracks or major breaks were visible in the photos
Issues / Wear:
• Light surface wear and small scuffs are visible in places
• Minor finish variation and rub wear are visible on high points and edges
• Felt bottoms show age, lint, and shelf wear
• Underside labels show wear, fading, and partial loss
• Small areas of edge wear are visible around the bases, including a worn spot at one corner/edge visible from the underside
• A few small marks and tiny nicks are visible consistent with age and handling
• No box or original packaging is shown in the photos
Collector’s Notes
Elephant bookends have lasting appeal because they are both useful and easy to live with. This pair has the weight, shape, and shelf presence collectors want, and they make especially good library decor for readers who like animal figures, safari touches, or sturdy vintage bookends with real character.
A handsome pair for shelves that need both support and personality.
Please review all photos closely—they’re part of the description and show the exact item you’ll receive
Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)
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Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Please Note:
These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.
