Identify this inkwell

[DavidH]

My mother bought this inkwell a couple weeks ago at a pen store in Cambridge, Ontario. The design was so bizarre and fascinating that she didn't want to let it go. However, we don't know anything about it (age, maker, country of origin, etc.), and I figured I'd consult the experts

 

 

We're thinking that the base animal is supposed to be an Eastern interpretation of a camel (an animal with a long neck and a hump), similar to the dragon-esque interpretations of lions. The lid animal is a bit doglike. Other than that, we have no idea about what it is.

 

Anyone?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Deirdre]

How utterly fascinating.

[Anne-Sophie]

I don't think it is a camel.

 

Could you turn it around and see with a loupe, if there are any hallmarks and such.

 

Then go on the internet to try to find out what they are.

 

 

Thanks for sharing it is a wonderful mystery solving object.

 

 

You might try linking this post unto chatter and explain that you show it there so that the object

can get more attention.

 

 

If the mods don't like that, they can always move it.

 

 

You might want to title you chatter post, pen paraphernalia mystery.

 

 

 

 

 

[jbb]

Wow! Very cool. I've never seen one like it. It has an Eastern motif to me. Are you going to use it? With dip pens perhaps?

[DavidH]

I don't think it is a camel.

 

Could you turn it around and see with a loupe, if there are any hallmarks and such.

 

Then go on the internet to try to find out what they are.

 

That was the first thing we checked for; no marks anywhere on it, unfortunately. That's what brought me here.

 

Are you going to use it? With dip pens perhaps?

 

Probably won't use it; we don't know what to do with it, but we didn't want it to disappear.

[jbb]

Are you going to use it? With dip pens perhaps?

 

Probably won't use it; we don't know what to do with it, but we didn't want it to disappear.

 

Dip pens are fun to write with but it's a great find whether you use it or not. I see it as a camel too. Where are one humped camels from?

 

[adallak]

My mother bought this inkwell a couple weeks ago at a pen store in Cambridge, Ontario. The design was so bizarre and fascinating that she didn't want to let it go. However, we don't know anything about it (age, maker, country of origin, etc.), and I figured I'd consult the experts

 

 

We're thinking that the base animal is supposed to be an Eastern interpretation of a camel (an animal with a long neck and a hump), similar to the dragon-esque interpretations of lions. The lid animal is a bit doglike. Other than that, we have no idea about what it is.

 

Anyone?

 

Thanks in advance!

Please check out this article: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...com.microsoft:*

"Although McGraw died in 2000, his legacy lives on. In 1981, McGraw started the Society of Inkwell Collectors (SOIC). Today the SOIC has over 500 members from around the world, which benefit from an informative publication, The Stained Finger, an annual international convention and a marketing page for buying and selling inkwells. For the novice collector, antiques dealer, or inkwell aficionado, SOIC also offers a safe haven for all those who want to remember life before text messaging."

 

 

[Journaleur]

Don't know what it is, but find it fascinating. Rather ambiguous animals, but somehow it reminds me of the old joke: its elephants all the way down.

[Titivillus]

very interesting- no help with the history here but interesting!

 

K

[PacificCoastPen]

It looks Chinese...that little 'dog' on the top may be one of those modified lions that adorn gates. The bottom creature looks part griffin and part turtle.

 

[adallak]

I think it is a turtle with camel's head. Probably the members of the Society of Inkwell Collectors mentioned in the article could help to identify this one.

[Nibby]

Very interesting inkwell. Does it still retain it's original glass or porcelain inkpot inside? My guess is that it would be Victorian. The Victorians (mid 1800s to turn of the century, used metals to manufacture a lot of their trinkets).

 

Did your mom buy this from Phidon in Cambridge? That's a store that I haven't had an opportunity to get to yet but I hear good things about it. Great stationery.

 

[Mrsal]

very cool! it looks so unique!

[Snowcap]

My best bet would be an Eastern interpretation of the tortoise and the hare fairytale.

 

I've seen (somewhat) similar in the Dutch East Indies and it was indeed the interpretation of the tale.

 

For what it's worth.

 

 

 

 

Where, when you use the inkwell, the hare topples over (looses) and the tortoise stays the winner.

Edited March 22, 2009 by Snowcap

[GeGeLan]

My mother bought this inkwell a couple weeks ago at a pen store in Cambridge, Ontario. The design was so bizarre and fascinating that she didn't want to let it go. However, we don't know anything about it (age, maker, country of origin, etc.), and I figured I'd consult the experts

 

 

We're thinking that the base animal is supposed to be an Eastern interpretation of a camel (an animal with a long neck and a hump), similar to the dragon-esque interpretations of lions. The lid animal is a bit doglike. Other than that, we have no idea about what it is.

 

Anyone?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

 

The "doglike" creature somewhat resembles a Chines "Foo Dog".

 

That along with the Camel like head on the turtle would make me think it might be Asian possilbly from the areas of Tibet or Nepal.

 

I have a large Tibetan Incense Burner that has a similar patina so I would guess you inkwell is copper or a very high copper bearing bronze alloy.

 

In any event a Nice Piece.

 

~ Roland