Antique knight Crusader bookends Armor Bronze clad, John Ruhl, orig paint, 1922

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Antique knight Crusader bookends Armor Bronze clad, John Ruhl, orig paint, 1922:
$275.00

Rarely seen figural bookends of a kneeling Crusader in full armor, colorful shield decorated with fleur-de-lis. Detail is wonderful as always is the case with the works of John Ruhl. His initials are found on the top of the base. Marion Bronze made a version of this somewhat later but with much less detail.Bronze-clad, a manufacturing technique whereby a skin of bronze was made to adhere to a plaster form through the process of electro-plating. A handful of companies used this method in the early 1900s to make decorative household objects that had the look, feel and heft of solid bronze yet still were affordable by the middle class.One of those companies was Armor Bronze operating in NYC at least as early as the 19-teens. Their name is formed into the backs of the bases, along with the date 1922.Condition is fine. A couple nicks and dents (shown): chip out of back corner of cape; a dent from a Saracen\'s scimitar on the edge of a shield; and a boo-boo on an elbow. Otherwise no breaks in the cladding, no mashed corners on the bases. Paint is original and has darkened with age but still is lovely. Note: my flash makes the colors look a bit brighter than in natural light. Both pieces sit flat and stable.7 1/4 inches tall; base is 4 1/4 X 3 1/3. The pair weighs close to 6 pounds.Perfect gift for the Knight Templar or greaves wearer in your family.US shipping only. USPS priority. I pack with care.I SPECIALIZE IN ANTIQUE BOOKENDS AND DECORATIVE OBJECTS. PLEASE SEE MY OTHER LISTINGS FOR INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL ITEMS.