Bison (Buffalo) Double Inkstand

Description

• Central Figure & Composition: An animalier double inkstand centered by a figure of an American bison (buffalo) standing alert with its head lowered.
• Inkwells & Galleries: Flanking either side of the bison are raised square wells trimmed with ornate, relief-molded acanthus/palmette leaf galleries. The wells hold two heavy, square clear glass inkwells fitted with brass collar mounts and hinged, faceted clear glass dome lids.
• Pen Rest & Base: The front perimeter features an ornate Rococo-Revival scrolled leaf pen rest extending outward to cradle a dip pen.
• Material & Construction: While commonly described in the trade as gilt bronze, the hollow underside reveals a slush-cast spelter (zinc/white metal alloy) construction finished with an electroplated copper flash and a rich gilt-bronze patina.

Origin, Maker, and Age

• Where It Was Made: United States. Foundries centered in the Northeast (particularly the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut metalware manufacturing hubs) dominated the production of cast-spelter desk novelties and animalier accessories during this era.
• Who Made It: Undetermined American Novelty Metal Foundry. These cast-metal desk sets were typically unmarked so they could be cataloged by multiple retail jobbers, department stores, or souvenir distributors.
• Age: Circa 1900–1905.

Historical Context

Bison-themed desk accessories surged in popularity around 1901 directly tied to the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York. Because the American bison was selected as the official mascot and symbol of the exposition, American foundries turned out wide varieties of buffalo-themed paperweights, match safes, and figural inkstands both as official commemoratives and popular souvenir trade pieces.