Vintage Cast Iron Cat Doorstop in Black and White with Pink Roses

Three black and white cats have made themselves at home on this vintage cast iron doorstop, and they look entirely unbothered about it. One sits upright keeping watch, one stretches low through the grass with its tail curled high, and the third peers round from the back as if it has just heard the fridge open. Behind them, a clump of pink roses and green leaves fills the gap, and a tiny red ladybird has been painted into the grass at the front for anyone who looks closely.

It is solid cast iron, hand painted in glossy black, crisp white and two shades of green, with soft pink ears, lime yellow eyes and little flowers dotted about the base. The fur is cast in fine lines so the paint catches the light, and each cat has its own expression. It measures 18.5cm by 16.5cm by 8cm, with plenty of weight to hold open a heavy door or keep a draughty one in its place.

Cast iron doorstops became a fixture of British homes in the Victorian era, when heavier doors and draughty hallways made them a practical necessity, and cheerful animal designs have been favourites ever since. Cats have always been a popular subject, and this trio has all the charm of a piece of folk art.

As you would expect from cast iron that has spent years on door duty, the paint shows some wear, with small spots of rust coming through on a few of the white paws and faces and a little rubbing around the edges of the base. The back is painted plain white, with a few chips at the edges. We think it all adds to the character, and the colours are still bright and happy.

Prop it against a kitchen or sitting room door, stand it on a bookshelf beside a stack of old hardbacks, or put it by the back door where the real cat comes and goes. It would make a lovely present for anyone who has ever shared a home with a black and white cat, which in our experience is a great many people.