diff --git a/colander/__init__.py b/colander/__init__.py
index 1de747d..9355146 100644
--- a/colander/__init__.py
+++ b/colander/__init__.py
@@ -22,7 +22,12 @@ from . import iso8601
 
 _ = translationstring.TranslationStringFactory('colander')
 
-required = object()
+class _required(object):
+    """ Represents a required value in colander-related operations. """
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return '<colander.required>'
+
+required = _required()
 _marker = required # bw compat
 
 class _null(object):
@@ -46,7 +51,8 @@ class _drop(object):
     Represents a value that should be dropped if it is missing during
     deserialization.
     """
-    pass
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return '<colander.drop>'
 
 drop = _drop()
 
diff --git a/colander/tests/test_colander.py b/colander/tests/test_colander.py
index 8c342c8..6d05d71 100644
--- a/colander/tests/test_colander.py
+++ b/colander/tests/test_colander.py
@@ -3783,6 +3783,16 @@ class Test_null(unittest.TestCase):
         import pickle
         self.assertTrue(pickle.loads(pickle.dumps(null)) is null)
 
+class Test_required(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test___repr__(self):
+        from colander import required
+        self.assertEqual(repr(required), '<colander.required>')
+
+class Test_drop(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test___repr__(self):
+        from colander import drop
+        self.assertEqual(repr(drop), '<colander.drop>')
+
 class Dummy(object):
     pass