Wonderful Antique 19th Century Gothic Gargoyle Dinner Gong
Wonderful Antique 19th Century Gothic Gargoyle Dinner Gong.
A truly exceptional and highly unusual wall mounted dinner gong in Gothic style. Late Victorian.
A hardwood wooden backboard with brass mounting plate for wall fixing, in the shape of castle ramparts holds a solid cast bronze gargoyle (the metal being either bronze or a vary similar brass type alloy).
We suspect the gong is French, due to the style of the gargoyle, a winged creature with elongated neck and head of a lion - very similar to the carved stone gargoyles found on Notre-Dame in Paris. It is a beautiful casting, and the gong is supported by hanging the cord on the neck, just behind the head.
The backboard has a mounted Fleur-de-lis heraldic charge. Minor wear to backboard. All metallic elements securely fastened.
The mallet is original and is supported on a hanger at the base of the back board. Outer fabric is worn and frayed, but is robust and fully functional.
The gong itself resonates beautifully - properly tuned to provide a powerful, deep, and long lasting ring. We have recorded a quick mobile phone video to try and provide an idea of the sound, but the recording does not really capture how good it is.
A stunning decorator's piece.
Approximate Dimensions:
Backboard: 48cm high x 24cm wide.
Full drop height from top of backboard to lower edge of hanging gong: 77cm (+3cm for head of mallet).
Size of gong: 31cm high x 24cm wide x 3.5cm deep.
Size of gargoyle: Protrudes 35cm from backboard.
Total Weight (of all elements combined):
Approximately 6.5kg.