{"title":"Doorstops","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur vintage doorstops are here to hold doors open and make people smile while they do it. Most are solid cast iron and painted by hand, from cockerels and rabbits to whole families of ducks marching across the hallway, with the odd polished brass piece among them. Each one is a single find, chosen for its colour and character, and heavy enough to keep a door exactly where you want it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProp one by the kitchen door, use a pair to stop a draughty sitting room door from swinging, or set one on a bookshelf where it can be admired. They make cheerful presents for a new home, too.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"cast-metal-painted-doorstop-of-a-goose","title":"Vintage Cast Iron Goose Doorstop with Blue Bow in Cream and Green","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEvery goose likes to look her best, and this one has tied on her favourite blue ribbon before taking up her post by the door. Cast in solid iron and painted by hand, she stands tall and upright on a round dark green base, her long neck curving gracefully, a golden beak held high and a powder blue bow knotted beneath her chin. Her cream feathers are flecked all over with warm rust tones, giving her a lovely speckled, almost freckled finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eGeese wearing bows were the darlings of the country kitchen look that swept through British and American homes in the 1980s, appearing on everything from tea towels to biscuit tins, and they carry a hint of Mother Goose and the old nursery rhymes too. This one has a pleasingly simple, folk art shape, with the wing and feathers lightly modelled and the bow cast in crisp relief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eShe measures 22 x 11.5 x 7 cm, tall and slim enough to tuck neatly behind a door, with the reassuring weight cast iron is valued for. The cream paint has naturally weathered with age, letting soft rusty speckles come through across the body and back, which only adds to her farmhouse charm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eStand her by a cottage kitchen door with a basket of eggs, pair her with a stack of cookery books on a dresser shelf, or let her keep a bathroom or bedroom door ajar. She would make a lovely gift for anyone who keeps geese or ducks, a fan of country interiors, or a friend setting up a new home, and her colouring looks wonderful against duck egg blue, sage and soft cream.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eShe is the only goose you will ever meet who won’t chase you down the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Blue Loft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55417696878919,"sku":null,"price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0850\/3921\/9015\/files\/AAD18901-7B44-42FE-91F4-0E392A354D66.jpg?v=1791982032"},{"product_id":"early-bird-catches-the-worm-doorstop-in-cast-iron","title":"Vintage Cast Iron Early Bird Doorstop with Worm in Green and Yellow","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHere is proof that the early bird really does catch the worm, and is extremely pleased with himself about it. Cast in solid iron and painted by hand, this songbird lands on a sunny yellow hillside, wings raised in triumph, his breakfast held firmly in his beak. His feathers are painted in inky black with flashes of sky blue, and the hillside below is scattered with tiny white lambs, blue flowers and tufts of green, all set on a deep green plinth decorated with raised scrolls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe proverb about early birds has been around since at least the seventeenth century, and it suits a doorstop perfectly: something hardworking, cheerful and up before everyone else. Bird designs were always among the most popular cast iron doorstops, and this one has a lovely sense of movement, with the wings sweeping back as though he has only just touched down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHe measures 18 x 19 x 5 cm, a good size for holding open a proper door, with the solid weight that cast iron is prized for. The paint has worn in places to reveal patches of the iron beneath, particularly around the plinth edges and the back, giving him the softly weathered look of a piece that has spent years doing his job by a kitchen or garden door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eStand him beside a back door with a basket of garden trugs, let him hold open a sunny kitchen on a breezy morning, or set him on a deep windowsill among pots of herbs. He would make a cheerful gift for a keen gardener, a birdwatcher or anyone who swears they are a morning person, and his colours sit happily with sage, butter yellow and duck egg blue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eUnlike the rest of us, he has been up and productive since dawn, and he isn’t about to let you forget it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Blue Loft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55417732464967,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0850\/3921\/9015\/files\/78677716-E4C7-4E3E-810A-896B96F25BC4.jpg?v=1791981693"},{"product_id":"rabbit-with-a-blue-bow-cast-iron-doorstop","title":"Vintage Cast Iron Rabbit Doorstop with Blue Bow in Brown and Green","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis rabbit has dressed up for the occasion, though nobody has told us what the occasion is. Cast in solid iron and painted by hand, he sits up on his haunches on a mossy green mound, ears pricked, front paws tucked neatly in, wearing a bright blue bow tied at his neck. His coat is painted in warm chestnut brown with fine brushed detail picking out the fur, and he rests on a deep stepped plinth in dark slate tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eRabbits and hares have been favourite subjects for cast iron doorstops since Victorian times, and a bow tied rabbit has an irresistible storybook quality, bringing to mind Peter Rabbit in his little blue jacket and the illustrated nursery tales of the early twentieth century. The casting is lovely here, particularly around the face, where the eyes, nose and whiskered muzzle are all crisply defined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHe measures 22 x 20 x 7 cm, a generous size for holding open a proper door, with the solid weight cast iron is known for. The paint has worn softly in places, with patches of the iron showing through along the plinth edges and back, giving him the gently aged look of a piece that has kept a door open for many years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eStand him at a nursery door beside a basket of soft toys, let him sit on a kitchen hearth among pots of spring bulbs, or place him at the foot of the stairs as a cheerful welcome. He would make a lovely gift for a new baby, an Easter treat for a collector, or a present for anyone who loves rabbits, and his warm browns and blue sit beautifully with cream, sage and cornflower tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHe has the air of someone who has been invited to tea and is slightly worried he’s early.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Blue Loft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55417831752007,"sku":null,"price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0850\/3921\/9015\/files\/B108F727-B3E2-4FF6-9374-02399008B270.jpg?v=1791981245"},{"product_id":"family-of-ducks-cast-iron-doorstop","title":"Vintage Cast Iron Family of Ducks Doorstop in Cream and Yellow","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eNobody has ever looked more purposeful than this family of ducks on their way somewhere important. Cast in solid iron and painted by hand, they march in a tidy line along a green grassy base: father at the front with his beak in the air, mother just behind in a fetching pink bonnet, and two ducklings bringing up the rear, doing their best to keep pace. All four are painted in soft cream with speckled brown wings, sunny yellow beaks and bright orange yellow feet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eDucks have been among the best loved cast iron doorstop designs for generations, and the family in a row is a classic of the type, recalling Beatrix Potter’s Jemima Puddle Duck and the picture book ducklings of Make Way for Ducklings. This one has plenty of charm in the details, from the feather markings on each wing to the little bonnet ribbon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThey measure 30 x 17.5 x 6 cm, long and weighty enough to hold open a heavy door, and handsome enough to stand on a hearth or deep windowsill when the door is shut. The cream paint has worn in places to show the darker iron beneath, especially along the backs and wing edges, giving the whole family a gently weathered, farmhouse look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLine them up by a back door beside a pair of wellies, let them lead the way along a hallway floor, or stand them on a kitchen hearth next to a basket of logs. They would make a lovely gift for a new home, a nursery or anyone who keeps ducks, and their soft colouring suits cream, sage and pale blue rooms equally well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFour ducks, one direction, and not a single argument about where they’re going. Which is more than can be said for most families.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Blue Loft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55417861112135,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0850\/3921\/9015\/files\/ADD570CC-75BF-477F-BAAF-0799263C95B4.jpg?v=1791980913"},{"product_id":"cast-iron-cockrell-doorstop","title":"Vintage Cast Iron Cockerel Doorstop in Crimson, Emerald and Gold","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIf our other cockerel is a sensible farmyard type, this one is dressed for an evening out. Cast in solid iron and painted by hand, he stands proud on a grassy mound with his head held high, a scarlet comb and wattle set against a golden yellow neck, a crimson breast and a magnificent sweep of emerald tail feathers. Beneath him sits a shaped plinth painted in antique gold, with a raised oval cartouche on the front that gives him an almost regal air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe cockerel has long been the emblem of farmhouse kitchens across Britain and France, a symbol of good fortune, plenty and early starts, and cast iron versions have been holding doors open in country homes for well over a century. This one has particularly fine detail in the casting, from the layered ruff of feathers around his neck to the curling plumes of his tail. Turn him round and you’ll find a neat wedge cast into the back, so he slides under a door rather than simply leaning against it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHe measures 10 x 11.5 x 10 cm, compact enough for a dresser shelf or kitchen windowsill, with the satisfying weight only cast iron brings. His paint shows gentle wear consistent with age, adding a softly rubbed patina to the gold and the darker feathers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLet him hold open a pantry or kitchen door, perch him on a Welsh dresser among stoneware jugs and copper pans, or give him pride of place on a mantelpiece beside a bunch of tulips. He would make a lovely gift for anyone who keeps hens or collects kitchenalia, and his jewel colours look wonderful against cream, sage or deep red walls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHe is very handsome and entirely aware of it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Blue Loft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55417870352711,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0850\/3921\/9015\/files\/481E3A1A-CE34-420E-9526-6D6EA9394F20.jpg?v=1791980428"},{"product_id":"cast-iron-cockrell-vintage-doorstop","title":"Vintage Cast Iron Cockerel Doorstop in Hand Painted Russet and Green","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEvery country kitchen needs someone to take charge, and this little cockerel has clearly appointed himself. Cast in solid iron and painted by hand, he stands chest out on a patch of green grass, his russet and gold feathers giving way to a sweeping dark tail, with a bright red comb and wattle and a sunny yellow beak. Beneath him sits a plum coloured octagonal plinth, picked out with small golden twigs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe cockerel has been a favourite of British and French kitchens for centuries, a symbol of early mornings, good luck and farmhouse plenty, and cast iron versions were made to hold doors open in cottages and farmhouses alike. This one carries on that tradition in miniature. Turn him round and you’ll find a neat wedge cast into the back, so he slides under a door rather than simply leaning against it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHe measures 7 x 10 x 7 cm, small enough to perch on a windowsill, dresser shelf or Aga rail, with the reassuring weight only cast iron brings. His paint shows light wear in keeping with his age, which only adds to his weathered farmyard character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eStand him by the back door with a pair of wellies, add him to a dresser alongside blue and white jugs and egg cups, or let him keep the pantry door ajar. He would make a lovely gift for anyone who keeps hens, collects kitchenalia or simply enjoys a bit of rustic colour, and he sits beautifully with terracotta, mustard and sage tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHe won’t wake you at dawn, which already puts him ahead of the real thing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Blue Loft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55417937756487,"sku":null,"price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0850\/3921\/9015\/files\/A0F7920C-DAAA-4D54-B2E9-FF778D7A0606.jpg?v=1791980114"},{"product_id":"elf-on-a-toad-stall-doorstop","title":"Vintage Cast Iron Elf Doorstop on a Red Spotted Toadstool","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOur little elf has been sitting on his toadstool with his chin in his hands for some decades now, and judging by the look on his face, he has heard every excuse going for leaving the door to bang in the draught. Cast in solid iron and painted by hand, he perches on a classic fly agaric toadstool, its red cap dotted with white, the stalk rising from a grassy green base picked out with tiny flowers and golden scrollwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFigural cast iron doorstops took off in Victorian Britain, when foundries produced everything from Mr Punch to sleeping cats to hold heavy doors open. The fashion for woodland folk, pixies and gnomes ran right through the twentieth century, helped along by Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies and Enid Blyton’s Toyland, and this little fellow belongs to that long line. Turn him round and you’ll find a neat wedge cast into the back, so he slides snugly under a door rather than simply leaning against it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHe measures 8 x 10 x 8 cm, small enough to sit on a bookshelf or mantelpiece, yet with the satisfying heft only cast iron brings. His paint shows light wear in keeping with his age, mostly around the base edges, which we think only adds to his storybook character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eUse him to prop open a child’s bedroom door, stand him at the foot of the stairs beside a pile of picture books, or let him keep watch in a cottage kitchen next to a jug of spring tulips. He would make a lovely gift for anyone who collects folklore, fairy tale or woodland finds, and he looks particularly at home among moss green, mushroom and soft pink tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHe doesn’t say much, but he’ll hold the door, and frankly that’s more than most of us manage before our first cup of tea.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Blue Loft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55417996968263,"sku":null,"price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0850\/3921\/9015\/files\/AC744BB1-9E40-4623-84CB-399629E2D25A.jpg?v=1791979379"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0850\/3921\/9015\/collections\/vintage-cast-iron-doorstops-collection-the-blue-loft.jpg?v=1792926930","url":"https:\/\/www.theblueloft.co.uk\/collections\/doorstops.oembed","provider":"The Blue Loft","version":"1.0","type":"link"}