Item Specific, Offering You Today : The scarce rarely seen SARAH SYMONDS “SALEM 1692″ WITCH DOORSTOP, complete with her Broom and Black Cat! Item or like can be found in Cast Iron Collector’s Guides, specifically Smith Doorstops 2006 Book page 203. This extremely scarce large statue is from the Sarah Symonds Design & Foundry. More Item Condition Information. Description and the most important part of the description for relative size, maker and marks if present, as well as all aspects of condition. The Boston Terrier Button you will notice in one of the pictures is a magnet – which is a simple test to assure you that it is indeed cast iron. There is no structure damage that I noticed during inspection but please use the zoom tool to be double sure I have not overlooked anything important or unimportant in my observations. Completely stable, meaning, no parts are missing or have ever been glued back on and there is no evidence of cracks, breaks, replacement, or repair to my eye. Finish is appropriate as well as texture for a makers typical materials; Paint or Patina is guaranteed to be 1st original finish unless otherwise noted. Creation date is from the cast iron/metals heyday era lasting from 1880’s into the early 1940’s (some Wright/Wilton pieces date into 1950’s). The Weight is shown in photos. To assess size note the ruler, also a soda can is 5 tall. You will also be surprised to learn that many of these treasured pieces can be viewed in the standard bearer of cast iron collectibles, the Smith Doorstop Book, since dozens of my acquired pieces were actually photographed for the books 2006 publication. I will be sure to specifically note in a listings description when one of the book examples is being offered so its provenance is clear to you. All reasonable best offers will be seriously considered when put forth respectfully. All my cast iron listings are contextually the same from here down, please read if you are new to my store. Caring for your antique cast iron figurals : I find the best was to bring out your item’s best color, preserve it’s original paint, and to protect it from too dry or too humid an environment is to clean it with original pledge. Other than dry feather dusting, I use the original pledge about 2-3x a year. There are museum waxes that are for preservation but I would suggest if this is the route you choose for care you let a professional handle the job. You may ask yourself,’How can something so’durable’ be so’rare’? Many Victorian and turn of the century cast iron and metal figural items are rare or completely lost because of wartime efforts that took place for nearly half of the last century. During the Great War, World War II and beyond, there were constant neighborhood drives to collect all non-essential cast iron and metal goods. These items were then melted down for their materials to help with the manufacturing for our wars necessities and armament. Other special finds are those items which would have been for children, which typically would have been used vigorously then thrown away once out-grown. To Collector’s these figural sculptures are basically time capsules of a bygone era, wearing their beautiful battered paint proudly. They also have intense historical value as authentic artistic creations of the United States of America’s industrial age pioneer heroes. So, that’s why if you find one of these special collectibles, you should consider it a prize, and if you are a serious collector, you probably consider it priceless. Random Figural Cast Iron Trivia : Doorstops were made as doorstops, but heavy cast iron bookends were made as both during this era’s industrial age. Today many antique cast iron bookends are used as doorstops for their weight, aesthetic, and functionality; and likewise antique doorstops are sometimes now used simply as art sculptures. Susie, The Dutchess of Arkansas & Her Business : Since I find these little treasures everywhere I can not verify the life led by many of my pieces. I always leave feedback once I have received yours, this way I know your product made it into your waiting happy hands. I also have a brick and mortar location of The Dutchess of Arkansas inside The Rose Antique Mall should you ever visit the NWArkansas area. Have a wonderful day, Susie. Thank you for respecting the law and rules that go into creating an informative listing. The item “Rare c1895 Symonds Antique Salem 1692 Witch Blk Cat Cast Iron Metal Art Doorstop” is in sale since Sunday, October 23, 2016. This item is in the category “Antiques\Decorative Arts\Metalware”. The seller is “susiessensations” and is located in Bella Vista, Arkansas. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Maker: Sarah Symonds
- Type: Doorstops
- Primary Material: Cast Iron
- Age: 1850-1899
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Style: American Industrial Age
- Country/Region of Origin: United States
