A striking and sleek pair of mid-century vintage pressed art glass bookends in the iconic "Rearing Horse" pattern (No. 36) by the L.E. Smith Glass Company. Each piece features a beautifully sculpted rearing stallion resting on its hind legs atop a thick, stepped rectangular plinth base, meticulously engineered to anchor literature on a library shelf or executive desk. Made of heavy, high-quality black amethyst glass, the sculptures reveal a deep, rich violet translucent glow when held directly to a strong light source. The silhouette balances Streamline Moderne geometry with bold Hollywood Regency aesthetics, showcasing the company's trademark stylized bubble-beaded mane and fluidly sculpted tail underneath an intense, mirror-like glossy finish.

Historical & Style Details

• Subject / Sitter / Source: Rearing Stallions / Equestrian Library Decor
• Artist / Maker / Author: L.E. Smith Glass Company
• Period: Mid-20th Century / Mid-Century Modern Art Glass Era (circa 1953 - 1956)
• Origin: Jeannette, Pennsylvania, USA
• Material / Technique: Pressed Art Glass / Molded Vitreous Black Amethyst Glass
• Materials: Heavy pressed glass
• Markings: Unsigned as issued; identified by the distinctive L.E. Smith bubble-style mane configuration
• Decorative Details: Stylized segmented bubble mane, anatomical muscle definition, stepped Art Deco-inspired plinth base
• Dimensions: 8.5 inches tall x 5.5 inches wide x 3.0 inches deep (21.6 cm x 14.0 cm x 7.6 cm) each
• Colour & Surface: Deep obsidian black appearing opaque in ambient conditions, displaying rich amethyst purple undertones under direct bright transmission light; exceptionally smooth gloss surface
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition; no chips, fractures, fleabites, or internal clouding; base edges are remarkably crisp and free of standard shelf wear
• Seller's Note: A highly coveted pair belonging to the limited mid-1950s production run, providing incredible graphic contrast against modern or wood-toned bookcases.

History

Founded in Jeannette, Pennsylvania in 1907, the L.E. Smith Glass Company became celebrated across the globe for its beautifully crafted decorative figurines, elegant tableware, and vibrant mid-century glass lines. The iconic rearing horse silhouette was first introduced to the public in 1944 as design No. 36, initially produced exclusively in clear crystal glass from 1944 to 1958. During the peak of the mid-century modern aesthetic, L.E. Smith introduced this striking black amethyst glass variant for a very brief window, running from 1953 to 1956. While the company later reissued the horse silhouette under code No. 6200 in a wide palette of vibrant 1960s, 70s, and 80s colors, these authentic mid-1950s black glass pieces remain a highly prized rarity for collectors. These heavy, structural bookends encapsulate how mid-century manufacturers successfully adapted dramatic 1930s Art Deco style markers into sophisticated accessories for the post-war American household.