Antique Cast Iron Dove Finial

Description

This is a cast iron Dove finial mounted on a solid wooden ball for display. This Dove is possibly from a fence or other architectural use. We have seen the closed wing version of this Dove, in exactly the same scale, but this is the first spread wing version we have come across. The Dove and perch are solid cast iron and the surface shows age even though it is a later repaint. The closed wing version might have been on either side of this one and the spread wing version would have been the center piece. For example on the top of an arch over a gate or doorway.
We date the Dove to the 19th century and the detail is wonderful. You can notice some minor pitting in the iron from being outside for most of it's life but it is under the paint. The overall size of the piece is 13 1/2" tall x 10" wide and 10" from front to back. The Dove itself is 10" wide x 10" from beak to tip of tail and 5 3/4" from top of wooden ball mount to top of it's head. It is very securely mounted on the wooden display which appears to have been it's perch for some time.
Item ID:
3905