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Two polished stone bookends shaped like wolves howling at tall, pointed obelisks. The wolves and obelisks are made of white and pale green onyx with brown veining. The background shows shelves with glassware and ceramic items in a home setting.

A carved onyx sculpture features two tall, pointed towers beside a small satellite dish, all on a rectangular base. The scene is set on a wooden table with shelves of ceramics and decorative items in the background.

A polished onyx bookend shaped like a howling wolf sitting next to a tall, narrow obelisk. The piece is marbled with white and pale green hues and displayed on a wooden surface, with glassware and decor blurred in the background.

A carved, pale green and white onyx sculpture depicts pointed rocket shapes and a satellite dish on a wooden surface. In the background, glass shelves hold various small decorative objects, and wooden chairs are partially visible.

A polished onyx sculpture shows a rocket with three pointed boosters on a stand, next to a satellite dish aimed upward. Both rest on a round wooden base, with shelves of decorative objects blurred in the background.

A close-up of a carved white stone figurine shaped like a bear holding a dish, likely made of onyx or marble, sits on a wooden surface. Behind it are tall, pointed stone shapes, with shelves of decorative items blurred in the background.

A carved onyx bookend shaped like a howling wolf next to a tall obelisk stands on a table. The stone is cream and light green with natural banding. In the background, glass shelves display various decorative items and glassware.

A polished white onyx sculpture with three pointed towers and a circular disc in front, mounted on a wooden base. The background shows a multicolored woven tablecloth and a glass display cabinet with various decorative objects.

Two carved translucent onyx rabbit figures sit back-to-back, each facing outward, with tall crystal-like pillars rising behind them. They rest on square bases atop a round wooden plate. Shelves with glassware and ceramics appear in the blurred background.

Mexican Onyx Small Bookends

Name: Mexican Onyx Small Bookends
SKU: BOO-MEXICANO
Availability: InStock

$60.00

Mid-20th-century Mexican carved onyx bookends featuring a sleeping man in sombrero beside cactus.

• Time Period: Mid-20th Century
• Origin: Mexico
• Maker/Brand: Hand-carved (artisan workshop)
• Medium: Natural onyx
• Style: Mid-Century Souvenir / Mexican Decorative Stonework
• Condition: Excellent
• Decoration: Iconic sleeping figure beside saguaro cactus
• Dimensions: Approx. 6–7 inches tall

1 in stock

SKU: BOO-MEXICANO Category: Other Finds Tag: Vintage

Description

Onyx “Siesta” Bookends — a delightful mid-century Mexican souvenir blending sculptural wit with fine stonework. Hand-carved from natural onyx with pale green veining, these bookends depict the archetypal Mexican “siesta” scene: a sombrero-wearing figure resting beside a cactus, rendered with charm and skill.

During the 1940s–60s, such pieces were popular with American travelers who visited Mexico during the rise of cultural tourism. Onyx was readily available and prized for its translucence, banding, and sculptural versatility. These bookends offered tourists a piece of folk identity, while showcasing the artistry of Mexican stone carvers.

Highly collectible today, they capture both the aesthetics and humor of a specific cultural moment in decorative arts