B&H Bradley & Hubbard Cast Iron Bulldog Bookend Pair — Gilt Collar

Bradley & Hubbard of Meriden, Connecticut was the preeminent American manufacturer of decorative cast iron from the 1850s through the early 1920s, and these figural bookends represent the firm at the height of its output. The subject is a short-faced, muscular dog — the squared stance, cropped ears, and broad chest will read as a convincing portrait to collectors of several brachycephalic breeds — rendered with the assured, fluent detail that separates a foundry working at the top of its craft from the imitators that followed. The gilt studded collars — a characteristically B&H touch, adding chromatic warmth to an otherwise austere iron surface — remain largely intact on both figures, a fortunate survival given how readily a century of handling strips such accents away. The embossed B&H medallion on each base front leaves no ambiguity about origin, distinguishing this pair from unmarked examples by Hubley, Albany Foundry, and others who worked the same popular subject.

Lot comprises the two bookends only; books shown in photography are not included.

CONDITION

Very Good. Both figures display strong cast detail and the gilt collars retain most of their original paint. Scattered light surface rust is present across both bases and on the underside edges, and minor paint loss appears at several base corners.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall (each): 5½" H × 5" W × 2½" D
• Weight (pair): 2 lbs 12 oz
• Material: Cast iron with gilt paint accent
• Maker: Bradley & Hubbard (B&H), Meriden, CT
• Quantity: Pair (2 bookends)

Campbell's Soup Can (4" H) Shown for Scale