Vintage cast iron elephant bottle opener

This is an original rare cast iron elephant bottle opener manufactured by the Hubley Manufacturing Company in Lancaster Pennsylvania USA. Some of the castings where painted but as you can see in our photos this piece has an aged natural patina finish and is in excellent condition with the appropriate look for its age. 

Creator Hubley Manufacturing Company (Manufacturer)
Date of manufacture 1940-1950
Materials and techniques cast iron,
Condition is good. The piece has developed a natural patina that can only be acquired acquired through age and time
Dimensions H 3.5 in. x W 3 in. x D 1.25 in.

History

The Hubley Manufacturing Co. was incorporated in 1894 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania by John Hubley and produced hand painted cast-iron toys and household objects such as doorstops, bookends and bottle openers with themes that ranged from different breeds of dogs, to horses and cars. 

In the casting process, metalworkers would carve out a wooden form or hammer the design out in metal. The form was then pressed into finely compacted sand, making an impression, and the cast iron was heated to 3000 degrees which was then poured into the sand mold.

This is a great example of this manufacturers handiwork. And size and texture feel so good to the touch and hand!