Stag’s Hoof Inkwell

This is a taxidermy hoof from a hunting trophy adapted into a desk accessory. The slender dual cloven hooves and dewclaws resemble a stag’s hoof.

Description

• Materials & Construction: The piece is crafted from a taxidermy hoof with original fur and hooves intact. The upper shaft is fitted with a heavy sterling silver collar/mount housing a well for ink.
• Lid & Well: A flat, hinged sterling silver cap covers a recessed interior well rimmed in silver.
• Support & Function: Attached to the underside (palmar/plantar side near the dewclaws) is a double-curved sterling silver spur/prop that acts as a stabilizer to keep the hoof upright on a desk surface.
• Hallmarks: Stamped both along the exterior front collar and inside the hinged lid with clear British sterling hallmarks and a retailer/maker’s mark.

Hallmark Analysis

• Where was it made? London, England (indicated by the Leopard’s Head assay mark).
• Who made it?
  • Sponsor / Retailer / Silversmith: Stamped with a cross-shaped maker’s mark containing initials (H.W / W209 / FG or similar silversmith/retailer code, characteristic of London novelty silver outfits or taxidermy outfitters like Rowland Ward or specialty London silversmiths).
  • Purity: The Lion Passant stamp confirms solid British sterling silver (.925 purity).
• When was it made? 1904.
  • The date code is the lowercase Roman “i” inside a pointed shield, which corresponds precisely to the 1904 assay cycle for the London Assay Office.