Brass Cow or Cat Figurine
2x.5x1.5H
2x.5x1.5H
unknown
Other
Yes
Hi Abigail,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
An antique brass lion-form lock
European, Middle Eastern or Indian, 19th Century
lacking key
1 1/2 inches high, 5 inches long, 2 inches wide
CONDITION: lacking key but otherwise in good condition
$200-300*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.
Thanks, you're all set
I was looking up google searching victorian lion letter openers and couldn't find any examples of this. I did however come across antique lion padlocks that look like this. Are you sure it's a letter opener?
I'm not sure actually, though your suggestion of a lock makes sense...but it would need to have a keyhole or something that clasps/releases to be effective as a lock. Thoughts?
I don't know, but it looks too similar. I know it's definitely missing the key:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/203857495919?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255131071991?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255508010487?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28
https://www.etsy.com/listing/991738995/antique-indian-brass-one-of-its-kind?gpla=1&gao=1&
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154998441344?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28
Bingo. Yes, I'm sure that's what this is. The problem with using eBay to value is that they are unregulated - people can ask whatever they want and eBay rarely discloses what anything ever sells for but I've given this the benefit of the doubt as far as value. That it lacks the key is, I'm afraid, will keep the value down.
There are no moving parts. Everything is fixed. There do seem to be magnets on the piece of the tail that fits inside the figure.