Lacquer Bookends

A pair of Memphis period bookends. This is a pair of unusual bookends created in America during the Memphis artistic period, back in 1980. They were crafted in solid cut steel and decorated with yellow, yellow-green and black lacquer paints. The bookends were designed with the stylized figures of an apple and a banana with the trompe l'oeil technique giving the appearance to be in three dimensions. The Memphis Style Was emerged in 1981, when the Italian designer and architect Ettore Sottsass founded a group of artists and designers called Memphis. Bob Dylan’s song 'Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again' was playing on repeat during the group’s first meeting, which led to the group being named 'Memphis'. After the inaugural meeting, the group decided that they would meet again in February 1981. The members brought over 100 drawings with them, picturing a variety of bold, colorful designs with multiple stylistic influences. The Memphis Group went on to create furniture, fabrics, patterns, ceramics and other products in a distinctly Postmodern style that blended stylistic traits of 1950s kitsch...

Large pair lacquered Maitland Smith covered canister boxes on brass feet with brass pineapple finial pulls. Regency style. Each measures 12" wide x 16.5 tall x 5.5" deep. Can also be...