Posted 10 years ago
johnm2
(4 items)
This item weighs about 6 lbs and appears to be made of brass with a green patina. The base is about 8" dia. with a black hard material in the middle that the "dragon" is standing on. The "dragon" stands 5-¾" tall from the bottom of the foot to the top of the highest wing. The "dragon" is 7-½" long from the heel of the back leg to the front of the out-stretched paw. Each foot has four toes with claws. The tail and the tongue have arrowhead shaped points on the ends. The back has a 2-¼"L x 1"W x ¾"D rectangular depression in it as if to hold something. I have not been able to find any identifiable markings. This came from my grandfather's house and I am guessing it might be from about the 1930s or 40s. Could this be an ashtray with the depression in the back to hold a pack of cigarettes?
Could be bronze !!
Possibly a match holder the indent in the back and the rim around the dragon the strike plate, are there any id marks or initials ??
Sometimes theyre on the bottom sometimes on the sides??
Sd
No ID marks anywhere on it that I could see. The bottom is covered with felt so there might be something under that, but it is in good condition and I would hate to remove it.
The last time I saw anything like this they were chamber sticks & there were two of them both stood on their back feet with one of the front feet holding a candle holder, both guilded bronze and dated to the regency period & £1200.
im not saying yours is that old or even the same quality as the ones I saw (& nearly bought) but yours reminded me of them the same type dragon with wings and an indent which was for matches...
i would call this a 'griffon', rather than a 'dragon'.
Totally agree ho2, here it is.....
https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffon_(mythologie)
Regards
Alan