Cast Iron Eagle Engine Ornament

19th century cast iron eagle with outstretched wings. Cast in two pieces (feet, torso and head in one, wings in the other) and covered in layers of gold radiator paint. The casting itself is very crisp as evidenced by the level of detail visible in the feathers on the underside of the wings.

I’ve found some reference that leads me to believe that these eagles were mounted above the bell on the front of locomotives… possibly a specific southern manufacturer.

Mounted on custom base.