Pair 19Th Century Horse Head Gatepost Sculptures Attributed Glasgow School

A Rare Pair of Scottish Victorian Equine Cast-Iron Horse-Head Gatepost Finial Sculptures
Attributed to Glasgow School Influence, Macfarlane’s Saracen Foundry, circa 1890
Subject & Medium
This rare pair of late Victorian architectural horse-head gatepost finials captures the 19th-century fascination with equestrian imagery as a symbol of nobility, guardianship, and strength. Cast in iron and retaining traces of their original black painted surface, these finials served not only as functional cappings for grand estate entrances but also as statements of refinement and social standing.
Composition & Technique
Expertly modelled with naturalistic precision, the busts depict the attentive ears, strong musculature, and dignified expression of the horse with striking vitality. Executed in heavy cast iron, each weighing over 8.5 kg, the finials embody the high technical standards associated with Glasgow School design.
Their surviving painted finish, surface wear, and patination add to both their authenticity and visual depth. Cast with proud bearing, arched necks, and alert ears, these works represent not an individual horse, but the idealised equestrian form celebrated in 19th-century art and design. Their robust physiques and noble expressions evoke the classic bay stallion—favoured for its associations with speed, reliability, and strength—while the black painted finish was intended to complement architectural ironwork rather than reflect natural colouring.
Attribution
The pair is attributed to the Glasgow School–influenced designs of Walter Macfarlane & Co.’s Saracen Foundry in Glasgow. Renowned worldwide, Macfarlane’s ornamental ironwork adorned civic, domestic, and garden settings across Britain and the United States during the late 19th century, making their creations highly sought after today.
About the Foundry
Founded in 1851, the Saracen Foundry became synonymous with excellence in decorative ironwork, combining artistry with industrial innovation. Macfarlane’s designs were exported globally, gracing municipal buildings, public parks, and private estates. Today, they remain prized by collectors of Victorian decorative arts.
Dimensions
Height: 27 cm (10.6 in.)
Width at base: 18.5 cm (7.2 in.)
Depth: 27 cm (10.6 in.)
Weight: 8.5 kg (18.7 lbs.) each; 17 kg (37.4 lbs.) combined
Provenance
Northern Lake District auction
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Collector Appeal
Rare survivals of late Victorian equestrian design, over 130 years old
Attributed to Macfarlane’s Saracen Foundry, leading makers of decorative cast iron
Significant as both architectural fittings and sculptural works
Highly symbolic: horses as emblems of strength, loyalty, and guardianship
Desirable to collectors of equestrian art, architectural salvage, and 19th-century British decorative arts
Condition
Presented in fine antique condition consistent with outdoor use and age. Both finials display paint chips, scuffs, scratches, rust, and areas of flaking paint with underlying oxidation. They have been overpainted; light sanding and repainting is recommended if restoration is desired. These qualities are commensurate with their history and add to their authenticity and character.
Shipping & Purchase
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