Vintage Elephants with a history, this pair was designed by Walter Von Neesen in the 1930s. He was one of several artists  commissioned by Chase Manufacturing during the depression to design decorative items out of plumbing parts. Items like these bookends made from satin chrome over brass with antiqued brass bases kept Chase in business until after WWII, when they returned to selling their plumbing parts without the artistic edge. $1,800 at TFTM.

 Michael Aram suggests the grace and elegance of the wild with his Impala bookends. Created from bone inlay, bronze and oxidized cooper, these bookends diffuse the trophy head trend for a modern, masculine look. $195 through Michael Aram.

This figural vintage pair in art deco style depicts trains passing through a tunnel. It's a rare find, signed on bottom Robj, Paris. $7,500 at Bizarre Bazaar.

If a pair of bookends could ever be called sexy, this is it. Handmade of supple pebbled leather in lustrous gold, these bookends get their heft from a loose fill of pea-sized gravel. $49.50 per pair at unemployeddesigner's etsy shop.

Jonathan Adler goes to the dogs with his elongated Dachshund bookend design. A cartoon-like and fun way to stay organized. $150 at Jonathan Adler.

Chiasso's bendit bookends forgo heavy weights in favor of thin curves you set yourself to keep things straight. Gorgeous, minimalist, sculptural and affordable ,to boot. $28 per pair at Chiasso.