ASSOULINE - Classics
New York, USA
Object Design
2023
2023
Beyond the Books - design of Bookends
Once, bookends were steadfast sentinels—tall, sturdy, and essential for a time when books filled every shelf. Marble, bronze, and wood formed their presence, anchoring knowledge in place. The invention of the simple sheet metal bookend in 1870s redefined their role, opening the door to new possibilities.
Today, the bookend is no longer just about function; it is an object of meaning, a sculptural statement that transcends utility. With fewer books in our spaces, the bookend transforms into an aesthetic marker—an extension of personal identity, a reflection of taste, a conversation between history and modernity.
This collection reinterprets the bookend, merging its historic essence with contemporary design. Contracted by the publishing company ASSOULINE, our design is inspired by their books—each collection sharing the same monolithic, square/rectangular format—the studio has designed bookends that seamlessly blend in, standing face-out next to the books as though they were part of the collection itself. Proportioned like a book, they create a visual continuity, enhancing the bookshelf with a refined, architectural presence. To own one is to engage with a narrative, to align with a vision, and to bring an object of distinction into your space.
Once, bookends were steadfast sentinels—tall, sturdy, and essential for a time when books filled every shelf. Marble, bronze, and wood formed their presence, anchoring knowledge in place. The invention of the simple sheet metal bookend in 1870s redefined their role, opening the door to new possibilities.
Today, the bookend is no longer just about function; it is an object of meaning, a sculptural statement that transcends utility. With fewer books in our spaces, the bookend transforms into an aesthetic marker—an extension of personal identity, a reflection of taste, a conversation between history and modernity.
This collection reinterprets the bookend, merging its historic essence with contemporary design. Contracted by the publishing company ASSOULINE, our design is inspired by their books—each collection sharing the same monolithic, square/rectangular format—the studio has designed bookends that seamlessly blend in, standing face-out next to the books as though they were part of the collection itself. Proportioned like a book, they create a visual continuity, enhancing the bookshelf with a refined, architectural presence. To own one is to engage with a narrative, to align with a vision, and to bring an object of distinction into your space.
