Description
From our decorative collection, we are pleased to offer this highly detailed pair of bronze letter racks, dating to the early Victorian period around 1840.
Each piece is cast in bronze with a rich natural patina and features a Gothic-style base supporting a pair of opposing horses. The horses are modelled in animated poses with strong anatomical definition, set against a rear-mounted tower of tiered letter compartments.
The tiered racks are adorned with finely cast classical female figures styled as scantily clad nymphs, each posed amongst blooming flowers and trailing ribbons. The compartments are subtly adjustable to accommodate varying numbers of letters. The combination of classical motifs with equestrian subjects adds a refined yet playful character to these highly decorative functional objects.
Beautifully cast and sculptural, the letter racks are both practical and full of early 19th-century charm. They make a striking addition to any desk or hall table.
WHAT IS BRONZE?
Bronze has been one of the most widely used materials in art and design for centuries, valued for its strength, durability, and ability to capture fine detail. Popular from ancient civilisations to the 19th century, bronze has been used for statues, decorative objects, and functional pieces alike. In the late 19th century, artists in Vienna, including Franz Xaver Bergmann, perfected the technique of cold-painting, adding rich layers of colour to bronze without firing. This innovation, along with the timeless appeal of bronze’s patina and texture, ensures that antique bronze objects remain highly collectible today.
For further information please see our article Bronze Sculpture: History, Composition, and Casting Techniques.
WHAT IS Animalia?
The nineteenth century saw a flourishing of bronze sculpture across Europe, with animal subjects commonly referred to as animalia becoming especially popular. This period coincided with a growing interest in natural history, anatomy, and realism, which inspired sculptors to explore animal forms with renewed attention to detail and movement. In France, the Animalier School, led by artists such as Antoine Louis Barye, elevated bronze animal sculpture to an art form in its own right, moving it beyond mere decoration and into the realm of fine art.
Bronze proved an ideal medium for animalia: strong enough to capture the dynamic energy of wildlife, yet malleable enough to render fur, muscle and motion with fine precision. Horses, lions, dogs, and exotic beasts were frequent subjects, often used to convey power, elegance or nobility. These pieces were not only admired for their high quality design but also reflected the nineteenth century’s fascination with nature, science, and imperial exploration.
Whether as functional objects such as letter racks and inkwells or as pure sculpture, animalia in bronze became a hallmark of decorative art in the Victorian era and remains highly collectible today.
MEASUREMENTS
20cm High x 10cm Wide x 9cm Deep (7.9 x 3.9 x 3.55 Inches)
CONDITION
Excellent antique condition
WHY BUY FROM JACKSONS ANTIQUE?
At Jacksons Antique, we are a small family-run business with over 10 years of experience in the fine antiques trade. We are proud members of LAPADA (The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers) and CADA (The Cotswold Art & Antique Dealers’ Association), trusted by collectors, interior designers, and private clients worldwide.
Every piece we offer is individually sourced, carefully researched, and fully authenticated, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. We provide insured worldwide shipping and secure checkout via Stripe, a global payments provider trusted by companies including Amazon and Booking.com.
With every order, you will receive our latest printed product guide, a certificate of authenticity, and full tracking details so you can follow your item from dispatch to delivery. For complete peace of mind, we also offer a no-hassle money-back guarantee.
We provide flexible layaway options and a level of personal service that larger retailers simply cannot match. When you buy from Jacksons Antique, you are supporting sustainable, environmentally conscious collecting and helping to preserve historic objects rather than contribute to mass production.
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