Eclectic Collection of Five Continental Dog-Form Inkwells

These interesting inkwells were crafted in Britain between the Victorian period and early to mid-20th century. The works have been created from horse hooves, applied with sterling silver mounts. Each hoof has been set onto a silver horseshoe and features a silver top and lid. Two of the tops have been engraved to imitate real horse hair, while the third is more simple, with banded ornament. All three have been given covers, two of which feature commemorative inscriptions. One lid states, ‘The Grey/1907-1917’ — presumably the name of the favourite racehorse, whose hoof this is — and another reads, ‘Mavourneen/ Died June 29th / Aged 53’. ‘Mavourneen’ is an Irish Gaelic word meaning ‘my beloved’. The dedicatee’s age of 53 implies that they were a human, perhaps a jokey, or racehorse owner. The lids open up onto a silver-lined interior, intended to be used for storing ink as part of a desk arrangement. The inkwells are stamped, on their underside, with silver hallmarks and maker’s marks, ‘J.T.’ and ‘C & CS’. This set of three horse hoof inkwells...

Unusual bisque porcelain automaton figure Continental, circa 1900 Measures: Height 57cm, width 21cm, depth 21cm This unusual doll takes the form ...

Rare Novelty Cricket Inkwell. A wonderful leather covered traveling inkwell in the shape of a cricket ball. This is a very desirable, rare and unusual ob...

Stylish, rare and mint condition bronze, brass and glass desk piece. This completely original inkstand dates from the late 19th century and it has a large number of striking Roman...