Hitching Post: Eagle's Head

Dateca. 1875

Attributed to J. L. Mott Iron Works (active 1853-1950)

MediumCast iron

DimensionsOverall (including section intended to go below ground): 61 1/2in. (156.2cm) Other (below ground section only): 19 1/4in. (48.9cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1967.808.1

DescriptionA hollow, cast iron hitching post consisting of an urn shaped design and C-scrolls enclosing a cabuchon, the whole over a ball on a pedestal with an eagle's head at the top holding a ring in its beak. Originally two faceted flanges, one at the front and one at the rear, extended straight down below the preceding section, the flanges intended to be buried in the ground or secured in cement. The front flange has been broken off near the base of the design, leaving only the rear flange intact. The 18-inch, broken off section of flange has been retained and is stored near the object.
Label TextAttribution to the J. L. Mott Iron Works is based on a virtually identical post shown in catalogues issued by the firm in 1873 and 1875. Neverthelss, competing foundries often copied one another's designs and, not infrequently, bought and used one another's molds, so it is possible that the Museum's eagle actually came from a different commercial source. Other, virtually identical, posts have been ascribed to the J. W. Fiske Iron Works of New York City and to the Westside F. Dry Co. of Troy, New York.

This particular example has a history of having been used, along with several others like it, to line the drive at "Melrose," a house still standing in north Baltimore, Maryland. The original structure was built in the early eighteenth century but was greatly expanded and rennovated over the years, particularly about 1870, which campaign probably prompted the addition of the Mott posts. Once cars began replacing horse-drawn vehicles in the early twentieth century, all of the posts but this one disappeared. This sole hold-out was removed to the attic, found there by subsequent owners, and re-installed as a garden ornament.

Horses' heads were the commonest subjects for hitching post terminals in the second half of the nineteenth century; eagles were somewhat rarer. Mott supplied all manner of metal accoutrements and fittings for homes, grounds, barns, and businesses, including cast zinc trade figures.

ProvenanceThe post was one of several once used along the drive in front of the North Baltimore (Md.) house called "Melrose." Per Hill (see following), this post was the last one remaining, "saved because it was moved to a garden"; Peter Hill, Washington, DC.

Exhibition(s)