Description Rolls Royce silver Spirit of Ecstasy bookends, mounted on carved marble bases with fitted silver elements and dating to the late 1930s. Each bookend is formed with a demi-lune stepped plinth base in marble, rising to fluted column supports. The mounts are surmounted by miniature Spirit of Ecstasy mascots cast in solid silver, immediately identifying the pieces within the Rolls Royce design language of the period. The silver elements are hallmarked for Saunders and Shepherd, London, and dated 1937, the final year of the Rolls Royce Objets de Bureau series. The front of each bookend features a sterling silver initial plaque, engraved “P.P”, and bearing matching hallmarks. These bookends form part of the celebrated series of sterling silver desk objects commissioned by Rolls Royce between 1926 and 1937. Produced in limited numbers and presented as gifts to selected individuals connected with the company, they were never offered for public sale. The pair retain strong historical significance, representing both the closing year of the series and the enduring association between Rolls Royce and the Spirit of Ecstasy. View the full Accessories Collection. View the full Silver Collection. Rolls Royce Desk Set Between 1926 and 1937, Rolls Royce commissioned a series of sterling silver desk objects, known as Objets de Bureau, produced as exclusive Christmas gifts for key figures connected to the company. Each piece incorporated the Spirit of Ecstasy, reinforcing the marque’s identity beyond the motor car. Manufactured primarily by Saunders and Shepherd, these objects were never available for public sale and were issued in very limited numbers. Today, surviving examples are considered among the rarest and most desirable pieces of Rolls Royce related silver, valued for their provenance and connection to the company’s history. For further information see our article Rolls Royce Sterling Silver Desk Sets. Saunder and Shepherd Saunder and Shepherd was founded in London 1869 by Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders Sr & James Francis Hollings Shepard. They were a manufacturing jewellers out of 23 Bartlett’s Buildings in Holborn Circus. They specialised in mourning jewellery but branched out into all other avenues of jewellery from earrings to necklets. In 1890 Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders passed away and the business was taken on by his three sons and converted into a limited company in 1916 Saunders & Sheperd Ltd and factories in London, Birmingham and Glasgow and continued manufacturing until the company dissolved in 2021. For further information see our Makers and Retailers page on Saunder and Shepherd. Sterling Silver Sterling silver is an alloy composed by weight of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness (parts per thousand) of 925. Why Buy from Mark Goodger Antiques? With over thirty five years of specialist experience, Mark Goodger Antiques is recognised internationally as a leading authority in antique boxes and related works of art. Every item offered has been personally selected by Mark, whose knowledge and judgement are trusted by collectors, institutions, museums, interior designers, and fellow dealers worldwide. Every purchase is supplied with a full supporting package for clarity and reassurance. This includes a Certificate of Authenticity, a detailed condition and care guide specific to your item, our most recent catalogue, and a separate invoice suitable for insurance and valuation purposes. Each piece is carefully examined prior to sale to ensure accuracy of description and quality. Your purchase is fully insured during transit and protected by our straightforward money back guarantee, allowing you to buy with complete confidence. We pride ourselves on transparency, expertise, and long term relationships with our clients, many of whom return to us repeatedly over decades. When you buy from Mark Goodger Antiques, you are purchasing from a specialist family business built on knowledge, trust, and an unrivalled focus on antique boxes.
