Niagara Falls / Prospect Point Book Ends That Depict A Kneeling Indian Holding A Dog By The Collar

JENNINGS BROTHERS

Publication: Privately cast by Jennings Brothers, n d (ca 1920), Bridgeport, CT

The bookends are roughly 6 1/2 " tall; 4 3/4" left to right and 5 1/4" front to back. On the front of the design is a medallion, which is part of each bookend and states Niagara Falls, Prospect Point with a small imprint of Prospect Point and a view of the falls Each is stamped with the "JB 1524" identification marks on the lower rear. Evidently there were two variations of this bookend with this being the best as it has the Indian hanging onto the collar of the dog. (The dog is not present on the second variation.) There is quite a lot of detail, i.e. seeing the ribs of the dog, the toes of the Indian, muscle in the Indians leg, the braided hair on the Indians shoulders, the two feather head dress, facial features, original felt on bottom, etc. The bookends are in beautiful condition.

It is interesting that there was a rock slide at Prospect Point at Niagara Falls in 1954. On July 12th, 185,000 tons of rock broke free and fell into the gorge below with only a lone tree hanging on after the collapse of the point. Later that year in August dynamite was used to remove the last 2,700 tons of rock that remained precariously at the edge. After the explosion, the face of Niagara Falls on the American side was drastically changed. Prospect Point observation tower is the only place on the US side of Niagara Falls where you can see all three waterfalls--the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls.

The Jennings Brothers Mfg. Co. was an American company based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, that produced finely crafted art metal pieces, primarily during the Arts and Crafts movement. Founded in 1890 or 1891, the company specialized in items like bookends, jewelry boxes, and statues, which were made with detailed methods and sold until the mid-20th century. Today, Jennings Brothers art objects are highly valued by collectors and are often marked with the "JB" hallmark.

This pair of bookends is in fine condition and are in beautiful condition.