Two English Silver-Plate Mounted Horse Hoof Inkwells

Circa late Victorian/Edwardian eras, the first, featuring a figural horse form finial over a mounted ebonized hoof, not marked or monogrammed (5 x 4 1/4 x 5 in.); the second, with horseshoe marked "Mounted by the A & NC. S. Ld", not monogrammed (4 x 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 in.)

Collection of a Gentleman, Miami, Florida

In Victorian England, there was a particular fascination with death, mourning, and the memorialization of loved ones and pets. When race horses or horses belonging to high-ranking cavalry officers passed away, they could be memorialized with silver-mounted hooves to commemorate their service or relationship with their companions. These mounts were sometimes elaborate, presented in the form of candlesticks, fanciful inkwells, or boxes.

Each with rubbing to the plate, the ebonized hoof with minor oxidation spotting to the lid and heavy varnish to the hoof; both with natural aging and wear to the hooves.