Mr Capone French Provincial Terrier Statue in a Bowler Hat, Rust Cast Iron 14.5cm

A small shaggy terrier in a bowler hat, waiting for someone to explain themselves.

Mr Capone is a wire-haired terrier cast in solid iron and finished in a natural rust patina, sitting squarely on his haunches in a hard bowler hat tipped down over his brows. He weighs 1.1 kg, which is the difference between cast iron and the resin figures that copy this shape. The coat is worked in long wiry strands all over, with a full beard around the muzzle and the brim of the hat cast crisp.

At 14.5cm he is the smallest character in the range, small enough to sit in one hand and sharp enough to hold a shelf. He is built for outdoor life: the rust patina is a finish rather than a fault, so weather deepens him instead of wearing him out.

Why we love it

• ◆The hat, a proper hard bowler with a rolled brim, tipped forward so it half hides his eyes
• ◆The coat, long wiry terrier strands worked right across the body, which is where cast iron beats moulded resin
• ◆The expression, entirely unimpressed, which is the correct expression for a terrier in a hat
• ◆The size, 14.5cm, so he fits places a bigger piece cannot: a windowsill, a desk, the corner of a shelf

How to style it

He is small and the whole joke is in the face and hat, so keep him close to eye level.

• Set him on a desk or a windowsill where you see him every day
• Stand him at the end of a bookshelf run
• Put him on a hall table beside the keys
• Pair him with Colonel Barkley or Captain Houndsley for a line of dressed dogs
• Group him with the rest of our garden sculptures

Care & Keeping

Wipe with a soft dry cloth to lift dust out of the wiry coat and under the hat brim. The rust patina is a finished surface and needs no sealing. Place a felt pad or a saucer underneath on pale stone or painted timber, and keep harsh chemical cleaners and abrasive pads away from him.

Because Mr Capone is hand-finished, slight variations in patina, texture, and grain are natural and add to the unique character of each piece. Colour may also vary slightly between screens, all photography is taken in natural light.