Elephant Inkstand

This is a classic example of a Viennese “Animalier” bronze inkstand from the late 19th or early 20th century. These pieces were highly popular for their naturalistic detail and whimsical charm.

Description

• Subject: The inkstand features two elephants standing on a textured, rocky terrain. Both elephants are depicted with their trunks upturned, which is a traditional symbol of good luck and prosperity.
• Inkwell: The inkwell is integrated into a “rocky mound” on the right side of the base. It features a hinged lid that opens to reveal the original white porcelain insert.
• Material: While described as bronze, the weight (9.2 lbs for a 16-inch piece) and the “MADE IN AUSTRIA” export mark suggest this may be patinated spelter (white metal) with a high-quality bronze finish, or a “Vienna Bronze” casting. The underside shows the elephants are secured with nuts and bolts, a standard construction method for Austrian desk sets of this scale.
• Markings:
  • MADE IN AUSTRIA: This mark was common on items intended for export to English-speaking markets between 1890 and 1920.
  • VIII: The Roman numeral inside the lid is an assembly mark (or “match mark”). Because these pieces were hand-finished, lids and bases were often numbered during production so the artisan could keep the correctly fitted parts together after the finishing process.

1. What are the tusks made of?

• Bone

2. How old is this inkstand?

This piece dates between 1890 and 1910. The “Made in Austria” marking style and the naturalistic “Animalier” theme were at their peak of production during this window.

3. Which company made it?

While many Viennese foundries produced elephant themes, this specific design—a double-elephant group on a long rocky base with a disguised inkwell—is closely associated with Argentor-Werke Rust & Hetzel (commonly known as Argentor Vienna). They were one of the largest and most prestigious metalware manufacturers in Vienna, known for producing high-quality desk sets and “bronze” figurines for international export.