These handsome Scotty bookends were made just outside of Pittsbugh, in the little town of Verona, PA. Not much history can be found of the manufacturer, which is surprising, considering how well modeled, cast and finished these bookends are. The "coat" of each dog is deeply textured. The Argyle bases are a wonderful Scottish touch. The clean casting of the cast iron is superb. And the bronzy-copper finish, now aged, is rich and even. With this exceptional attention to detail, one might think that the company would have grown and become a bigger player during "The Golden Age of Bookends" (the 1920s and 1930s).
The company began around 1905 as the "General Casting Company." It changed its name around 1907 (or 1910, according to some sources) to "Verona"—in honor of the foundry's home town (and perhaps due to a buy-out from a larger company).
Click on the photo above to learn more about these handsome and useful bookends.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248