Preliminary identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
A classic, heavy-cast solid iron doorstop depicting a Scottish Terrier in an alert, standing pose. Weighing nearly ten pounds, this two-piece hollow-cast figure features a textured coat, perky ears, and an upright tail, finished in its original black paint with hand-painted eye details.
Story
During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's beloved Scottish Terrier, Fala, captured the public's imagination. This sparked a massive national craze for Scottie-themed home decor, turning this sturdy little watchdog into an overnight symbol of American resilience.
Maker / Origin
Founded in 1894 by John Hubley, the Hubley Manufacturing Company became world-renowned for its highly detailed cast-iron toys, doorstops, and bookends. Their artisans were celebrated for their complex multi-part sand molds and expressive, hand-painted finishes that brought cold iron to life.
Condition & Value
The doorstop shows honest wear consistent with age and use, including paint loss on the ears, tail tip, and paws, with light surface rust on the underside of the feet. The white paint on the eyes appears to be an old touch-up or original hand-painted detail with some wear.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.