Horse Inkstand by Maison Alphonse Giroux

This inkstand features a horse with a hinged neck, a bucket serving as the inkwell, and a pen wipe. The sign “La Marche” translates to “The Walk”. The hollow horse with a hinged neck likely served as a storage compartment for pens, given the impractical angle for it to function as an inkwell.

Maison Alphonse Giroux, marked on the base, was both a designer and manufacturer of luxury goods, as well as a retailer. This means that the inkstand could have been designed and produced by Giroux or sold by them if it was made by another artisan. Giroux was known for their high-quality, innovative designs, often incorporating elements of various artistic movements.

For more information about Maison Alphonse Giroux: Giroux Alphonse (marcmaison.com)