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ID #SA1232163
FOR SALE
£895
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Antique Guardian Lion Door Keeper, English, Iron, Mythology, Doorstop, Victorian
For sale by London Fine Antiques
for sale €1,047     $1,137
£895
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
Browse dealers 945 items
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    Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide
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Id #SA1232163
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Antique Guardian Lion Door Keeper, English, Iron, Mythology, Doorstop, Victorian

19th century
Description

This is an antique guardian lion door keeper. An English, cast iron mythical animal doorstop, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880.

Fascinating door keeper, with a stylised Roman gate guardian lion form

Displays a desirable aged patina and in good antique order

Presented in cast iron with deep black tonality

Crafted in the manner of a mythical Chimaera - a fire-breathing amalgam of animals

Shown in recumbent fashion, the lion head is shown with reptilian scales and webbed feet

Late 19th century foundries held a fascination with the Classical Revival aesthetic

Good weight in the hand at 5.055kg (11.14 lb), ideal for medium sized doors

Dressed to the base with protective suede leather cushioning for ornamental use

This is a striking antique guardian lion door keeper, with a classical Roman aesthetic to the highly distinctive appearance. Delivered ready for the home.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 13.5cm (5.25'')

Max Depth: 28cm (11'')

Max Height: 20cm (7.75'')

Physical Dimensions
Height
20cm (7.87")
Width
13.5cm (5.31")
Depth
28cm (11.02")
Declaration

London Fine Antiques has dated this Cast Iron Lion Doorstop to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1232163
Dealers Internal Reference
26263
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is an antique guardian lion door keeper. An English, cast iron mythical animal doorstop, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880.

Fascinating door keeper, with a stylised Roman gate guardian lion form

fig 1. A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base.
fig 1. Antique Guardian Lion Door Keeper, English, Iron, Mythology, Doorstop, Victorian

Displays a desirable aged patina and in good antique order

Presented in cast iron with deep black tonality

Crafted in the manner of a mythical Chimaera - a fire-breathing amalgam of animals

Shown in recumbent fashion, the lion head is shown with reptilian scales and webbed feet

fig 2. A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base.
fig 2. Antique Guardian Lion Door Keeper, English, Iron, Mythology, Doorstop, Victorian

Late 19th century foundries held a fascination with the Classical Revival aesthetic

Good weight in the hand at 5.055kg (11.14 lb), ideal for medium sized doors

Dressed to the base with protective suede leather cushioning for ornamental use

“
This is a striking antique guardian lion door keeper, with a classical Roman aesthetic to the highly distinctive appearance.
London Fine Antiques

Delivered ready for the home.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 13.5cm (5.25'')

Max Depth: 28cm (11'')

Max Height: 20cm (7.75'')

Height
20cm (7.87")
Width
13.5cm (5.31")
Depth
28cm (11.02")
Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Cast Iron Lion Doorstop to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1232163
Dealers Internal Ref
26263
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

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A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base.
1 / 10
Archive I A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base.

Antique Guardian Lion Door Keeper, English, Iron, Mythology, Doorstop, Victorian

Archive II A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base. View II
Archive III A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base. View III
Archive IV A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base. View IV
Archive V A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base. View V
Archive VI A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base. View VI
Archive VII A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base. View VII
Archive VIII A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base. View VIII
Archive IX A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base. View IX
Archive X A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base. View X
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London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 945
Items Sold 5,649
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
945
Sold
5,649
A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base.
Antique Guardian Lion Door Keeper, English, Iron, Mythology, Doorstop, Victorian
Ref: SA1232163
A heavy black cast iron doorstop crafted in the form of a reclining guardian lion resting on a stepped rectangular base.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDoorstops
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialCast Iron
  • ColourBlack
  • MotifsGuardian lion figure, Stepped plinth base, Textured cast scale detail
  • SizeH 20 cm (8 in) x W 13.5 cm (5 in) x D 28 cm (11 in)

This is an antique guardian lion door keeper from the late Victorian period, dating to circa 1880, styled as a mythical Chimaera in the Classical Revival aesthetic with a deep black tonality. The heavy cast iron piece shows a reclining guardian lion with a stylised Roman gate guardian lion form, featuring a head with reptilian scales and webbed feet, resting upon a stepped rectangular base with protective suede leather cushioning underneath and a desirable aged patina. It measures 20 cm high, 13.5 cm wide, and 28 cm deep, with a weight of 5.055kg. Positioned on a floor beside an interior or exterior front door, this doorstop performs a practical role while bringing a distinctive mythological motif to an entrance hallway or study. The durable cast iron construction manages heavy doors effectively, while the soft leather base protects underlying surfaces from scratches during daily use.

FAQs

Originating in the 18th and 19th centuries, a door keeper or door porter is a weighted functional object designed to hold interior or exterior doors open against draughts.

Victorian doorstops were predominantly manufactured from cast iron, brass, or bronze, often featuring a heavy solid base to maintain door stability.

Authentic pieces display distinct mould seam lines, a textured surface finish characteristic of sand-casting, and natural surface patination or subtle oxidisation consistent with age.

Position the piece adjacent to heavy timber doorways, beside a fireplace hearth, or atop a bookshelf as a sculptural architectural accent.

Clean the surface gently with a dry, soft brush and apply a light coat of clear microcrystalline wax to preserve the finish and prevent moisture accumulation.
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