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Finds and Interests
There are plenty of well-known items that come up at auctions. Clothing that belonged to a celebrity, or items used in movies or at famous locations, often appear under the hammer and always draw attention. An item that came up recently, however, might be well-known to some, but is definitely a surprise to many.
London’s Iconic Thames Embankment Lion’s Heads: History and Purpose
In London, along the River Thames, there is a stone wall that includes large lion’s heads with rings that hang from the sharp teeth of the lion. They measure 50 inches high by 33.5 inches wide and 29 inches deep, making them massive. Some of them are cast iron, while others are bronze. The city of London installed the wall and the lions as part of Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s Embankment project in 1868. Their purpose along the river was to provide an emergency mooring ring for boats that found themselves in trouble, and to warn London residents of possible flooding. There is even a rhyme about them that goes, “When the lions drink, London will sink. When it’s up to their manes, we’ll go down the drains.”
A Rare Piece of London History Surfaces at DejaVu Auctions
As the city grew and buildings were razed and replaced, city planners removed some of the lion heads, many of which were melted down or discarded. DejaVu Auctions, a WorthPoint Industry Partner, recently sold a cast-iron lion’s head mooring ring, and collectors were all over it. The selling price was $10,500—but it’s not your typical sale. Getting something that heavy out of its current location in Boca Raton, FL, will be difficult due to the sculpture’s weight and size.
For something that is such a huge—literally!—part of London’s history to come up for sale is rare, and that likely contributed to the interest the sale drew. Architects often use concrete or sculpted lions, but these lions have their own story as a London legend, so snagging one is rare.