The Popular Type Of Vintage Bookends Getting Scooped Up From Thrift Stores

You've likely seen them and maybe even passed right by them in the thrift store. If you were to close your eyes, you can picture them on a shelf, half hidden by other various metal and wicker wares: vintage brass duck head bookends. For the longest time, they were a staple of libraries and home offices, and are likely hiding in plain sight at many antique and secondhand stores all over the world. So, why are they so popular in the thrifting community all of a sudden, and why do you want to snatch them up if you come across them in the thrift store? These stylish bookends provide more than just a granny or grandpacore aesthetic. These days, vintage pieces like these can be paired with a variety of designs to elevate and add both dimension and visual interest to a space. Because most of these are made of cast iron or brass, you're getting a solid base to prop items up or hang accessories from.

When researching duck head bookends, you will predominately find online sellers offering a pair of brass or gold covered mallards with very little information outside of their year of production. It seems that a large portion were made in the '50s. You can display a mallard bust in a home office or library, bordering a variety of books and vintage volumes surrounded by deep leather browns and forest greens or orange hues. But brass and gold bookends now lend a kitschy edge to a variety of themes and aesthetics.

Bookends can elevate everything from a bookshelf to a countertop or side table. While these were once very specific in their purpose, now you can get creative with how you display them. Ducks can represent nature, but they can also be connected to rustic designs. If you've found gold or brass ducks, these can easily be added to everything from mid century modern themes to maximalist vibes. If you use them for your bookshelves, you can place them on either side of a row of books, then add other gold or brass elements to help them flow. However, they can also act as other decor pieces. 

In the kitchen, you could set them on either side of a couple of cookbooks. Or, you could even just use one on a tray with other decor like a candle or diffuser and a vase or stack of books. Add these to an entryway at either end of a long table to create balance or even use the beak to hang jewelry. You can add them on different shelving levels facing toward one another for a different take on the usual bookend setup. They can even be your secret weapon for a perfectly organized closet.

While the value of these may vary, with some valuable varieties worth hundreds of dollars and others just $20, it's more about how you style them to elevate them. They don't even need to be in mint condition — the worn finish of the metal can add to the antique or vintage vibe that you may be trying to go for. If you can't clean the brass hardware without causing damage, or the cast iron is too tricky to polish, try adjusting the position of your duck head bookends to hide any serious tarnishes or marks. 

You do always have the option to paint over the original finish; this could be beneficial if it's in poor condition and will make your other decor look dull or dated. Using matte finishes will give these a unique factor that can then be used in various other aesthetics, including farmhouse chic, cottagecore, and rustic. However, you can also recreate the cast iron finish by painting them via a DIY refurbishing project. These antique items are dominating thrifting trends, so make sure to grab a pair if you find some while thrifting.