Painted cast iron book end featuring an Arabian warrior on horseback

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Overview

Tombstone shaped, cast iron metal book end with a gold painted finish and relief detailing that depicts an Arabian horse and rider.
The horse is rearing up and the rider is brandishing a rifle above his head. He is wearing Arabian robes and headdress. There are a few grass tussocks on the ground underneath the horse.
The reverse of the book end is stippled and also painted gold. An area at the base is damaged, showing the cast iron inside. The phrase 'L of A' is hand printed in black in the centre of the back face.
The metal book end base has scratches and some lettering.

Historical information

The Hubley Manufacturing Company was first incorporated in 1894 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania by John Hubley. The first Hubley toys appeared in 1909 and were made of cast-iron, with themes that ranged from horse-drawn vehicles and different breeds of dogs, to tractors, steam shovels and guns. This particular design (No. 314, Arabian Warrior) is believed to have been sculpted by G. S. Allen in the 1920's.
Most of these cast book ends had a bronze painted finish and the Hubley name and model impressed on the back. This example appears to have been painted gold and has no name, so perhaps could be a cast copy of an original. The poor finish of the reverse seems to support this theory. Somebody has written 'L of A' in black on the reverse, presumably indicating Lawrence of Arabia.
Given its dubious background, no maker, date of manufacture or country of origin can be verified.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00837

Item type

Artefacts

Collectibles

Decorative Objects

Domestic Objects

Themes

People

Social History

Material