Condition: Near Mint
Height: 2″ (5cm)
Width: 4.5″ (11.25cm)
Length: 6″ (15cm)
Year Manufactured: 1940
This striking object is a vintage bronze paperweight from around 1940, featuring a detailed stag beetle resting on an oak leaf,…
Condition: Near Mint
Height: 2″ (5cm)
Width: 4.5″ (11.25cm)
Length: 6″ (15cm)
Year Manufactured: 1940
This striking object is a vintage bronze paperweight from around 1940, featuring a detailed stag beetle resting on an oak leaf, all mounted atop a sleek, white marble base. With a height of about 2 inches, a width of 4.5 inches, and a length of 6 inches, it’s a pretty solid piece—literally—so it definitely won’t blow off your desk. What sets this apart is its near mint condition. Usually, bronze pieces from this era have plenty of dings or patina, but this one seems to have been really well cared for. The craftsmanship is impressive, especially considering it’s more than 80 years old. The beetle’s legs and mandibles stand out, making it not just useful for keeping papers in place but also quite the conversation starter for anyone stopping by your workspace.
The bronze stag beetle and oak leaf motif was popular in the 1930s and 1940s, especially in European decorative arts. Stag beetles have long been a symbol of strength and protection, while the oak leaf often represents endurance. Pieces like this were typically made by craftsmen who took a lot of pride in their work, often using traditional lost-wax casting methods to get those finely detailed legs and wings. It’s rare to find such items in this kind of shape; most have lots of wear or have gone missing from desks over the years. Not many paperweights like this surface in antique shops anymore, and when they do, collectors and lovers of vintage desk accessories snap them up fast. If you’re into unique office decor or just appreciate quirky, well-made objets d’art, this is a superb piece from a time when even work accessories had a touch of artistic flair.
