Book Accessories & Home Libraries

Library ownership has been always inseparable from writing, whether this activity was limited to personal notes and correspondences or rose to the heights of literary accomplishments that were destined to outlive their authors. Pens and quills always went alongside with books. In our digital age, unfortunately, superb writing instruments became almost obsolete. They can, however, be successfully used as decorative accessories in a personal library or study. These slick metal objects look great on any desk, especially in a pen holder or a special pen display box. Vintage pens …

Bonheur du jour (“daytime delight”) is a very specific term for a kind of lady’s desk that became popular in the late 18th century. These exquisite furniture pieces are not as heavy as traditional desks. They are designed to be moved around the room and, as a result, their backs are often decorated. Much attention is paid to detailed ornamentation of the drawers.

A phrenology head is a teaching tool that could help you easily learn the location of all crucial areas of the brain supposedly responsible for intellectual and moral faculties. It is a curious extension of the more traditional busts and sculptures, but they have a distinct Victorian flavor. Great for a steampunk home library!

This 1816 etching by John Britton represents a typical home library during Regency. The library is located at Cassiobury Park and it was used similarly to many other home libraries of the time — it was essentially the most important room of the house and could be easily referred to as a family sitting room.

Initially I was hoping to find a set of Wedgwood bookends. So far, the best I could do is two excellent sets of Waterford bookends – Waterford, of course, is (since not too long ago) the parent company of Wedgwood, if you did not know.