Antique Cast Iron “The Angelus” Bookends After Jean-François Millet – Hand-Painted Pair

Charming antique cast iron figural bookends depicting “The Angelus,” the iconic rural scene made famous by French artist Jean-François Millet. The relief portrays a farmer and his wife pausing in prayer at the end of the day’s work, surrounded by familiar agricultural elements including a pitchfork, wheelbarrow, basket, and a distant church beneath a glowing evening sky.

Finished with their original hand-painted polychrome decoration, these bookends display rich period character and would make a wonderful addition to a library, farmhouse, cottage, or Americana collection.

Measurements

* Height: Approx. 4.75 inches

* Width: Approx. 5 inches each

Condition

Good antique condition with attractive age-related patina. The original hand-painted finish remains largely intact, showing expected paint wear, edge wear, and scattered losses consistent with age and use. No cracks or repairs were found. Original textured felt bottoms remain attached. Please examine all photographs carefully as they are part of the description.

Features

* Antique cast iron construction

* Matching pair

* Original hand-painted finish

* Relief after Jean-François Millet’s celebrated “The Angelus”

* Farmer and wife praying in a harvest field

* Decorative scrollwork border

* Original textured felt bottoms

* Functional and decorative

These bookends are both practical and highly decorative, capturing one of the most beloved rural images in 19th-century art. They display beautifully on a bookshelf, desk, mantel, or in a country farmhouse interior and are an excellent choice for collectors of antique cast iron, bookends, and Millet-inspired decorative arts.