While many people consider the 18th Century the high water mark of design—the age of science, enlightenment and democracy—I seem to take a contrarian view. In terms of architecture, painting and the decorative arts, the 18th Century is my least favorite period I like what came before it (The Classical, Romanesque, Gothic, Elizabethan, Jacobean and Renaissance) and I equally admire what came after it (Gothic Revival, Victorian, Arts & Crafts, Art Deco). It’s just that the “high minded” 1700’s are just a little “too formal” for me.
Nevertheless, I do like this pair of bronze-clad American Eagle bookends, probably from the 1940’s or 1950’s—a period when WWII patriotism burned brightly. They show their subject in the classic pose (or “array”), his wings spread in the iconic “protector” display.
This is one of the new pairs of bookends we’ve recently acquired. Please come into the shop to see the full range.
More bookends tomorrow.