Lady Justice Statue Desk Ornament

Some objects are chosen for how they look, and a few are chosen for what they stand for. A figure of Lady Justice belongs firmly in the second group. She has appeared above courthouse doors, in law libraries and on the desks of judges, lawyers and students for centuries, and the meaning she carries is understood instantly, without a word of explanation.

The Lady Justice Statue Desk Ornament brings that figure to a working desk or a bookshelf. It is a classical sculpture in resin with an imitation copper finish, with the scales and the sword picked out in an aged copper tone. It stands 7.48 inches tall on a base 3.74 inches across, and it is scaled to be seen close up rather than from across a room.

What makes the Lady Justice figure worth a place

The symbolism is the heart of it. The scales stand for weighing both sides of an argument, the sword for the authority to act on the conclusion. Together they make a piece that means something particular to anyone who works in law, and something broader about fairness to everyone else.

The detailing is the second strength. Because the scales and sword are picked out in a contrasting aged copper tone, the eye goes straight to them rather than reading the figure as a single mass of one color. It is that separation that keeps a small sculpture from looking like a plain molded shape.

The aged finish is the third. A polished metal surface shows every speck of dust, and a figure with this much detail collects plenty. An imitation copper finish with a soft patina hides it far better, so the piece keeps looking good between cleanings.

The scale is deliberate. At 7.48 inches tall it has real presence on a desk without dominating it, and the 3.74 inch base gives it a steady footing among books, papers and a lamp.

It also makes an unusually easy gift to choose. For a graduation, a call to the bar, a new office or a promotion, a Lady Justice figure is a present that is both personal and appropriate, and it rarely needs an explanation.

Where it looks best

• Home offices. On the desk beside a lamp and a stack of books.
• Bookshelves. Among legal or reference volumes, at eye level.
• Studies. On a credenza or a side table near a reading chair.
• Living rooms. A classical accent on a console or a shelf.
• Chambers and practices. A quiet, fitting piece in a professional room.

It suits classical, traditional and study style rooms especially well, and its warm copper tone sits comfortably with wood, leather and brass.

The figure also carries a certain seriousness that can balance a room. Beside softer pieces such as plants, ceramics or framed photographs, it adds a note of structure that keeps a shelf from feeling purely decorative.

Placing it and keeping it clean

The statue stands 7.48 inches tall on a base 3.74 inches across. Each order is one piece, and there is nothing to assemble.

• Give it a spot where it will be seen at close range, since the detail is the point.
• Set it where the raised arm and the hanging scales are unlikely to be knocked, as those are the thinnest parts.
• Keep it back from the edge of a desk or a shelf rather than on a busy corner.
• Stay out of prolonged direct sunlight, which protects the finish over time.

Go over the detail with a soft brush rather than a cloth, which catches on the scales, and never soak the piece in water. The measurements are listed in the Dimensions section above.

A lamp set slightly to one side does a lot for a figure like this. Light from an angle brings out the modeling of the robes and casts the scales into relief, which flat overhead light never manages.

If the piece sits on a glass or a polished desk, a small felt pad or a leather mat underneath the base keeps it from sliding and protects the surface beneath.

Pairing it with other pieces

A classical figure looks best with a few well chosen companions rather than a crowd. On a desk, set it beside a brass lamp, a leather desk pad and a small stack of hardbacks. On a shelf, place it in front of a row of books with a paperweight and a framed photograph nearby.

Browse the decorative objects collection for other sculptural pieces to sit alongside it, or the photo frames collection for frames that share its warm tone. Repeating copper or brass elsewhere on the desk pulls the whole surface together.

Leather, dark wood and deep green all suit the finish, and a green desk lamp in particular makes a classic pairing in a study.

Is the Lady Justice statue right for your desk?

It is a strong fit if you:

• Work in law, or want a piece about fairness and judgment.
• Like classical figurative sculpture at a modest scale.
• Prefer an aged finish to a polished one.
• Are looking for a gift for a graduation or a new office.

It is not the right choice for a floor, a mantel or a large open shelf, where a 7.48 inch figure would be lost, and it is not suited to a busy surface where the scales could be knocked. For a larger spot, a bigger sculpture will suit better.

Every order ships free across the US and most arrive in 6 to 9 business days. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery, and questions are answered at info@norafurnish.com.