Black Forest Bear’s Head Inkwell

Description and Identity

• Overall Form: A single figural inkwell carved as the bust of a bear wearing human clothing/accessories.
• Inkwell Mechanism: The hat serves as the hinged lid that opens to reveal the inkwell inside.
• Key Details: The piece features realistic detailing, including expressive glass eyes.
• Identity: Bear
  • The head shape—particularly the relatively short snout, rounded forehead, and the general “fluffy” appearance of the carved fur—is consistent with the anthropomorphic bears that were a hallmark of Black Forest carving.
• Headwear: The hat is a soft, rounded cap, and Tam o’ Shanter is a perfect description. It’s often used in these carvings to give the animal a comical, human-like persona.

Wood Type and Origin

• Origin: This inkwell is from the Black Forest region (Schwarzwald) of Germany or possibly Switzerland. The market for these novelty pieces boomed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, catering to tourists and the export market.
  • Wood Type: The wood used for detailed Black Forest carvings is nearly always a soft, fine-grained, light-colored hardwood, most commonly Linden wood (Tilia) or sometimes walnut. Linden Wood is  is pliable and takes intricate detail well, making it ideal for the small, elaborate figures characteristic of this style.

Age Estimate

The popularity of Black Forest carvings, particularly functional items like inkwells featuring animals in human attire, peaked during the Belle Époque and Edwardian eras. The quality of the carving, the use of glass eyes, and the integration of the functional hinge place it within this period.

Age Estimate: Circa 1880 – 1915