Finely carved limewood inkwell in the form of a growling bear, shown with an open, painted mouth and inset glass eyes. The bear’s head is removable and incorporates a hinged lid, providing access to the inkwell. The forepaws are carved to function as pen rests. This type of ornamental wood carving flourished during the Victorian era, stimulated by the growth of tourism. The Swiss villages of Brienz, Interlaken, and Lucerne emerged as important centers of production, renowned for the high quality of their woodcarvers’ work.H: cm – W: cm
Work from the late 19th century.