Animal Inkwell

A desk inkwell resting on a finely polished, veined onyx base with warm hues of honey, ivory, and ochre. The base has a stepped, rectangular shape, typical of late 19th-century desk furniture, lending the piece a refined and stable presence. The inkwell is adorned with two finely chased gilt-bronze animal figures. One depicts a young dog in motion, on the lookout, rendered with a beautiful sense of detail and realism, while the other adorns the lid of the ink reservoir, surmounted by a small cat. The combination of gilt bronze and natural onyx illustrates the taste for noble and contrasting materials, highly prized in the decorative arts of this period. This inkwell was intended to grace a prestigious desk or writing desk. For complete information: the base has two small chips, visible in the photographs, which do not detract from the stability or the overall charm of the piece.