Late Victorian English Silver-Plated Mounted Horse Hoof Inkwell by Rowland Ward

Details

Description

An exceptional, finely crafted late 19th-century horse hoof inkwell produced by the world-renowned British natural history studio, Rowland Ward & … Read more An exceptional, finely crafted late 19th-century horse hoof inkwell produced by the world-renowned British natural history studio, Rowland Ward & Co. of Piccadilly, London.
This striking desk piece features Rowland Ward’s highly collectible scalloped, "wavy-edge" silver-plated collar bridging the metalwork to the natural equine horn. The hinged lid opens smoothly to reveal the ink reservoir rim, flanked by dual stylized miniature antlers engineered to function as an elegant dip-pen rest.
The front of the hoof wall is adorned with a miniature silver-plated horseshoe applique, mirroring the realistic, full-scale polished horseshoe mounted to the underside. The bottom shoe is meticulously secured with simulated horseshoe nail heads.
During the Victorian era, premium equestrian commissions of this nature were painstakingly handcrafted by Ward's studio ("The Jungle") to memorialize prized racehorses, polo ponies, or decorated military cavalry chargers. Characterized by fine natural horn texture and masterful metalwork, this inkwell serves as a premier example of late-Victorian curiosity and country house decor. See less