Griffins at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, California

Villa Montalvo — the former estate of California Senator James Phelan — is a public park, arboretum and art gallery.

The griffin is used as a logo for Villa Montalvo. There are four large griffins on pillars flanking the road up to the grounds, and many of the signs are decorated with griffins.

Villa Montalvo Sign with Griffin Logo and Griffin Statue in Background

The picture above is the entrance into Villa Montalvo. This shot shows the main sign by the road and in the background is one of the two griffins either side of the driveway, flanking the entrance.

One of the Villa Montalvo Griffins at the Entrance to Villa Montalvo

This is the same griffin and the first picture, showing the pedestal that it is placed on.

One of the two Griffins farther up the driveway

About a mile up the road is another set of griffins on pedestals. These two griffins face into the road, different to the first set which face out, along side the road.

Villa Montalvo is a nice place in a beautiful location. Anyone in the area should put on their walking shoes and pay a visit. Most of the park and trails are free to visit.

Gargoyles of San Jose, Calif — The Scouting Edition

I was recently in downtown San Jose, California. I have been itching to photograph the gargoyles and grotesque that I have spotted in the past — and decided to not put it off any longer!

I did not have my good camera — I just had my iPhone with me. Figuring something is better than nothing — I took about a dozen photographs. Here are a select five.nI plan bringing the good camera with the long lens and getting better shots soon!

St. Claire Apartment Grotesque, San Jose, California

The picture above is a small carved bas-relief that I figure is a winged lion. The entrance to the St. Claire Apartment building has a large carved arched entranced — and this grotesque, (or commonly called a gargoyle) and other figures are repeated up and down the arch.

St. Claire Apartment Grotesque, San Jose, California

The picture above is another carved bas-relief figure, this one is located just above the lions pictured above.

The Saint Claire Hotel Grotesque, San Jose, California

This picture shows a large carved lion over the entrance to The Saint Claire Hotel, a nicely restored building in downtown San Jose. I believe the hotel and the St. Clair Apartments are the same building.

San Jose Museum of Art Grotesque, San Jose, California

A few blocks north of The Saint Claire Hotel is the San Jose Museum of Art. This building has quite a few gargoyles and I took a few pictures. This picture is a green man, which is in a carved band that wraps around the building. The building was originally the San Jose Library.

San Jose Museum of Art Grotesque, San Jose, California

This picture is a griffin, on the San Jose Museum of Art building.

There are more on my hit list — I plan on doing a good shoot and posting them up soon.

Hipstamatic Photograph of our Shop

Playing around with Hipstamatic  on my iPhone I took this photograph. I kind of like it — and it also gives the viewer of the different sizes of the  gargoyles for sale.

Shelf of gargoyles in The Stone Griffin

Maxwell gargoyle is front and center in this picture, two of the Itty Bitty Gargoyle tea light candleholders are there, two Skull Critters on the left size, the  base of Gambino, on the lower self is the Skull Looking Glass, a bit of two Guardian of Hopes and Dreams, Vampire Bat Candleholder, and Coffee Freak Chester.

Anyway — let The Stone Griffin satisfy all your gargoyle statue needs!

Little Happy Cat Gargoyle

This guy is Little Happy Cat gargoyle. She is a hand painted, made in USA gargoyle made of cast plaster and with a brown stone patina (and other color accents).

Little Happy Cat Gargoyle

Little Happy Cat is a  very well done piece. Being made of plaster this gargoyle should not be put outside in the weather.

Egyptian Griffin Statue

The Stone Griffin is a retail and online store that specializes in gargoyle and griffin statues for the home and garden.

Egyptian Griffin Statue

This guy pictured here is called the Egyptian Griffin. Griffins have been depicted in Egyptian culture dating  back as far as 3,000 BC.

Our Egyptian Griffin is a bit over 12" tall, made of resin and is suitable for indoor or outdoor display. The color is Moss Stone, and the Egyptian Griffin is available on our website in the Griffin Catalog.

Maxwell, The Desk Gargoyle

This is a gargoyle that we call 'Maxwell.' 

This guy is — as you can see — deep in thought. We call him a desk gargoyle as it seems appropriate to have him on your desk so as to keep you company, and to also help you think!

Maxwell Gargoyle, Washed Gray finish

The picture above shows Maxwell (two views) in the most popular finish, Washed Gray. This is a popular finish as it has a classic gothic look and also with the patina shows off Maxwell's details quite well.

Maxwell Gargoyle, Antique Taupe finish

The finish above, Antique Taupe, is not as popular. I find this finish to perhaps be my favorite! I like the warm look and the aged antique look of it.

Whichever finish you choose — I am sure you will be very happy with Maxwell. He is one of our favorites!

Maxwell is made of hydrostone which makes him best for indoor display. This gargoyle is 7 1/2" tall and priced at $64.

Chester

Chester, a gargoyle

I thought to start this blog writing about Chester. Chester is of my favorite gargoyles that I sell.

I find that gargoyles fall into two types — wicked or whimsical. Chester definitely falls into the whimiscal catagory. 

Chester is a rather small gargoyle, designed to be set on your desk or windowsill to keep you company while writting a blog or whatever activity you might be engaged in.

Chester has a story card that accompanies him. It reads 'Ever watchful and cautious, this palm sized critter keeps his eye out for troubles ahead. Let this little guy keep you company at work or as you cruise the internet.'

Chester is about 3" tall, and priced at $14. Made in USA. For indoor display.