The lions portrayed on this pair of cast iron bookends are modeled after Antoine-Louis Barye's 1840 sculpture called "Walking Lion" (which we shared in this journal a few days ago). The bookends were made in the Twenties by Bradley & Hubbard of Meriden, Connecticut. After the original bookend models were sculpted, the pairs were cast in molten iron and finished with a chocolate bronze finish. Bradley & Hubbard was known for its well-finished metal castings. While never at the elite level of a Tiffany or Gorham, Bradley & Hubbard was, nonetheless, very well-respected, making beautifully designed and finished metal objects for America's Middle and Upper-Middle classes. One more significant observation: This pair of bookends was designed with "mirrored" lions—that is, "opposites" which face each other. This was a nice feature which required a lot of extra production effort. First of all, two sculpted models and moulds needed to be crafted. Then the bookends needed to be kept together (managed) as they were finished simultaneously (and identically), packed-up as a pair and shipped-out. The simpler (and cheaper) method would have been to make one mould, resulting in two identical bookends—but a much less complicated process. By creating a mirrored pair, the lions would sit on the bookshelf (holding-up their books) with both of them facing outwards, into the room (instead of one bookend pointing its tail into the room). This small—but nice—touch was one of the little details which made Bradley & Hubbard stand-out in the industry. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome pair of bookends.
More handsome LEOs tomorrow and in the days to come.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.