Mid-Century Modern Chinoiserie Ceramic Figural Bookends
Unbranded (Likely Bradley, Florence Ceramics, or California Pottery) · Art & Decor > Bookends
Era / Decade
1950s (Mid-Century Modern). Dating cues include the stylized facial features, the high-gloss black glaze with cold-painted gold accents, and the specific 'MCM Asian Fusion' aesthetic popular in post-war American decor.
Material
Glazed Ceramic/Pottery. Features a black gloss glaze with gold metallic overglaze details. The ceramic appears to be a mid-weight earthenware.
Condition
Good to Very Good Vintage Condition. There is visible 'cold paint' wear (the gold details are rubbing off), particularly on the chest and hands. Small chips appear present on the fingertips of the female figure and the edges of the book bases. No major structural cracks visible.
Demand Level
Moderate. Chinoiserie and Hollywood Regency styles have a dedicated niche following, though overall demand for heavy ceramic bookends has stabilized. Best sold to MCM enthusiasts.
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
$45.00 - $85.00 for the pair, depending on the venue and buyer interest in Chinoiserie.
Estimated Retail Value
$40.00 - $60.00 (Adjusted for inflation from original mid-century prices)
Comparable Sales
Similar unbranded black/gold Asian-style ceramic figurines from the 1950s typically sell between $50 and $90 on Etsy. Sets with significant paint loss or chips lean toward the $35-$45 range.
Description
A striking pair of vintage 1950s ceramic bookends featuring a man and woman in traditional stylized Chinese attire. Finished in a deep obsidian black high-gloss glaze, the figures are accented with gold-tone Asian-inspired characters and trim. They are depicted kneeling on stacked books, creating a perfect functional and aesthetic theme for a library or shelf. Their exaggerated, elegant facial features are hallmarks of mid-century California-style pottery.
Key Features
Highly collectible Mid-Century Modern aesthetic; classic black and gold color palette; complete set (pair); functional 'book-on-book' design; strong shelf appeal for Hollywood Regency or MCM collectors.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence this is a genuine vintage 1950s set. Red flags for modern reproductions would be perfectly uniform gold paint or a lightweight, plastic feel. These show the appropriate manufacturing irregularities of mid-century slip-cast pottery.
Flaws to Note
Fading and loss to the gold metallic paint (very common for this era); minor flea bites/chips on the delicate hands and corners of the bases; shelf wear on the unglazed bottom surfaces.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Etsy (best for vintage decor), eBay (best for wide exposure), or a local curated vintage/antique booth. Their fragility makes local sales like Facebook Marketplace attractive to avoid shipping risks.
Selling Tips
Use keywords like 'MCM', 'Mid Century Modern', 'Chinoiserie', 'Hollywood Regency', and 'California Pottery'. Photograph against a light, neutral background to make the black gloss pop. Ensure extremely careful double-boxing if shipping, as the outstretched hands are highly prone to snapping.