Rare American Painted Cast Iron Sailor Doorstop - Attributed to Littco

A wonderfully characterful American painted cast iron figural doorstop, modelled as a sailor standing to attention and dating circa 1930. The sailor is depicted in traditional naval uniform with bell-bottom trousers, sailor’s collar and cap, retaining his original cream, dark blue/black and red painted decoration. He stands upon an integral stepped semi-circular base, giving the piece considerable weight and stability. The doorstop is attributed to Littco Products of Littlestown, Pennsylvania, the decorative cast-iron division of the Littlestown Hardware & Foundry. Littco produced a fascinating range of figural cast-iron doorstops during the 1930s and early 1940s, including several nautical subjects. Littco pieces were generally not cast with the manufacturer’s name or model number, originally being identified by paper labels which are frequently now missing. The form, construction, dimensions and distinctive stepped base of this example correspond closely with documented Littco sailor doorstops of the period. The underside shows the original two-part screwed cast-iron construction. A particularly decorative piece of American maritime folk art, equally appealing to collectors of nautical antiques, naval memorabilia and early American cast iron. MAKER Attributed to Littco Products, Littlestown Hardware & Foundry, Pennsylvania A scarce and highly decorative example retaining a particularly appealing untouched surface.