Black Forest Dog’s Head Inkwell

This inkwell is an expressive carving of a dog’s head, skillfully rendered in wood with finely carved texture to suggest the dog’s fur, especially around the jowls, eyes, and ears. The eyes are made of glass, a common feature of these high-quality carvings, which gives the dog a lifelike gaze.

The head is hinged just above the collar, allowing it to open and reveal the internal cavity where the inkwell reservoir would have been placed. The wood used is consistent with other Black Forest carvings and is likely lindenwood (or basswood). This wood is prized by carvers for its fine, even grain and softness, which allows for the creation of intricate details like the fur and facial features seen here.