19th Century French Renaissance Revival Cast Iron Book Press

2102-91244 (Click to Inquire About This Item)

15.5H x 13.5W x 11.5D

Location: Baton Rouge

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19th Century French Renaissance Revival Cast Iron Book Press is an actual working artifact from a bygone era!  This example shows a combination of industrial age construction with hand-crafted detailing.  The screw mechanism is securely situated on a bolted framework that is affixed to the lower base.  The platen is cast iron as well for durability and longevity, but artfully cast in a classical architecture including laurel sprays, egg & dart, and satyrs.  Satyrs, like gargoyles, were intended to keep away bad spirits as tradition would have it.  Such devices were used to keep books, manuscripts and stacks of paper flat, and can still find uses in the 21st century today!
Circa 1860s
Measures 15.5H x 13.5W x 11.5D