A pair of genuine Victorian cast iron door stops modelled as Ally Sloper and his wife. It is rare to find a matching pair like this, and particularly in their original paintwork. These door stops were designed to 'lean into' the door, so are not freestanding and require a door, wall or similar upright structure to rest against.
 
Alexander 'Ally' Sloper was the eponymous Victorian British comic strip character created in 1867 by Charles H. Ross. By 1896 'Ally Sloper' was a household name, and claimed as one of the most famous fictional characters in the country at that time. He had his own fan club, and was marketed via promotional items, including mugs, games, puppets, door stops and even a type of relish sauce!