Original circa 1890’s or so cast iron large walking lion with flailing tail & detailed mane doorstop. This lion was converted early on many years ago to a still bank with coin slot added. Maker unknown, but, probably English. I find entertainment in the look of the lion’s face which reminds me of the lion’s face in the Wizard of Oz movie. The maximum length is 9 5/8 inches & the maximum height is 5 5/8 inches. A beautifully detailed, very large, heavy, & impressive casting! The weight is a whopping 6 pounds 5.5 ounces. The lion retains the original screw which holds the two castings together. The gold paint which has lovely patina is original & of the same period as the lion. There is one small 3/8 inch circular spot on the back left top side of the lion where a drop of something touched that took the patina off of the gold paint. But, gold paint still remains in this area. There is an area of iron 5/8 inches by 3/16 inches on the right top backside of the lion in the casting which is missing. We guarantee that this flaw occurred in the making as this is one spot where a gate was removed during making. Period gold paint goes over this flaw & the flaw is smooth to the touch as it would be when occurring in the making. The gate would have been located where the iron would have flowed in to the opening in the sand when the casting was made. When the gate is removed in making iron pieces during assembly sometimes a flaw will show up at that point. The example we are offering was converted to a still bank with the addition of a slot in the head of the lion. This would have been done many years ago as the patina inside the slot is quite old from age & use. Two of the feet have holes drilled in them. This would have been done many years ago (at a minimum) & may possibly have been put in around the time the lion was made. The two holes have been in the feet for a very long time & show even heavier patina than the slot. The two holes in the feet would indicate that this lion was, at one time in it’s life, securely attached to something. This item is inventory #8068. Is an estimate and the actual cost may differ. International Buyers Please Note. The item “Ca. 1890’s IRON LION DOORSTOP & BANK CONVERSION, 9 5/8 x 6 5/8, 6 LB. 5.5 OZ” is in sale since Tuesday, November 12, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Banks, Registers & Vending\Still, Piggy Banks\Animals\Other Animal-Shaped Banks”. The seller is “imajgin” and is located in Lampeter, Pennsylvania. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Material: Cast Iron
- Modification Description: This was converted to a still bank with the addition of a slot in the head of the lion. This would have been done many years ago as the patina inside the slot is quite old from age & use.
- Modified Item: Yes
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom