-Lion c. 1920 - 1930

This diminutive metal Lion was made by the A. C. Williams Company sometime around 1886. I like the color: kind of golden, but distressed and weathered. I wonder what it felt like to model this sculpture? I imagine the artist working on it, shaping and refining its form. The lion stands proudly on all fours, exuding a sense of strength and stateliness, with a slot in its side that transforms the sculpture into a mechanical object, like a robot or a toy, or both! The A. C. Williams Company were known for their cast iron toys and novelty items, and I can picture them experimenting with different materials, techniques, and finishes, and perhaps even collaborating with other artists and craftspeople. The lion feels connected to a history of mass production, whilst maintaining a distinct expressive voice. It's a small token of artistry and design.