An unusual 19th Century cast iron door stop. It is the form of a grotesque representation of a dolphin. This design is also sometimes referred to as a Koi carp or a Dauphin or as a Devil Fish. It is a door stop but would make a great indoor or garden ornament and would look good next to a pond. I have 2 of these listed each with slightly different casting features. This one has been treated with a proprietary rust cure product and has a jet black finish. It is in good condition with no damage or repairs. There are few very minor casting flaws; there is small casting pop just above a fin (this can just about be made out in photo 7 centre) and some deburring chips on the bottom right edge (photo 8). These flaws do not significantly affect appearance. Such flaws are not uncommon in antique sand-cast items like this. Although a series of pieces would be cast from a single foundry pattern each one would have slightly different features and minor flaws. The use of a sinuous grotesque Dolphin motif like this, was imported from the Far East and became popular in many European countries in the 18th and into the 19th century. There are many examples which can be seen on line. If you search for Georgian Dolphin you will see images of decorative arts items like door-knockers, salts, candlesticks, lamp-hooks and fobs. If you search for Regency Dolphin you will find the motif used in furniture on table legs or chair backs. There are Victorian architectural uses in fountains, garden ornaments and the famous Westminster lamp posts (1880s) and in the housing of the Ships bell on Brunel’s SS Great Britain (1843). It is also found in Victorian decorative items such as table bells, sconces, and fire dogs. It holds back a reasonably heavy sprung domestic door even on a polished wood surface. It works on a door with about 9mm or more gap above the floor. It is about 34cm tall by 22cm at the widest. (13.5 x 8.5 inches) It weighs around 2900g (6lbs 6ozs). Hefty and authentic, couldn’t be better. My boyfriend loves the devil fish doorstop. It came very carefully wrapped. This is fixed price listing; no offers are invited thanks. Please check out my other items. I usually have other vintage and antique items listed. I have another one like this listed which has not been treated with rust cure. Parcel size 3.4kg 40 28 15 PLEASE NOTE THE POSTAL SERVICE TO JAPAN IS BY HERMES INTERNATIONAL. Search terms Steampunk English Baroque Revival Italian Italy Italianate Regency Rococo France French Continental European Classical Early Victorian cast iron fish cast iron koi carp Georgian. The item “Antique Vintage Victorian Cast Iron Devil Fish Dolphin Doorstop Door Stop Heavy” is in sale since Thursday, January 31, 2019. This item is in the category “Home, Furniture & DIY\Home Decor\Door Accessories/ Furniture\Door Stops”. The seller is “figuerez” and is located in Northwich, Cheshire. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Modified Item: No
- Custom Bundle: No
- Type: Door Stop Stay Wedge
- Main Colour: Black
- Brand: Unbranded
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
- Style: Victorian Baroque Rococo Steampunk
- Material: Cast Iron
- Theme: Animals & Bugs
- Non-Domestic Product: No
- Design: Dauphin Hand Cast
- Features: Quirky
- Sub-Type: Door Stops
Incoming search terms:
- dolphin doorstop