Black Forest Hand Carved Bear Inkstand

Description

This is a turn-of-the-century (likely circa 1890–1920) figural inkstand carved from a dark hardwood (likely linden or walnut).

• The Bear: The central figure is a Eurasian brown bear, characterized by finely detailed fur texturing achieved through precise chisel work. The bear is depicted in a playful, inquisitive pose, emerging from behind a hollow log.
  • Expression: The bear features glass eyes (which appear to be amber with black pupils) that give it a lifelike glint. The mouth is slightly open, revealing carved teeth and a tongue, adding to the whimsical expression.
  • Mechanism: The bear’s head is hinged at the back of the neck with a brass hinge. The head flips back to reveal a reservoir hollowed out of the wood, which would have originally held a glass or ceramic inkwell insert.
• The Pen Tray: The bear is resting its paws over a simulated log. The log is carved with a “rustic” aesthetic to mimic tree bark. The log is fashioned to serve as a pen tray (or rest) for dip pens.

• The Inscription

Looking closely at the relief carving in the “bark”, the lettering reads:

1. AMMERGAU

This is an abbreviation for Oberammergau, a town in the Bavarian Alps of Germany.

Note on Origin: The term “Black Forest” carvings is often used as a catch-all for this style of wood art. While the most famous center for these bear carvings was indeed Brienz, Switzerland, the tradition existed throughout the Alpine regions, including Bavaria. Oberammergau is historically famous for its woodcarving tradition (specifically religious figures and animal carvings).

Summary

This is a classic piece of Alpine Souvenir Ware (often colloquially grouped with Black Forest carvings). It was likely purchased by a tourist visiting the Passion Play or the woodcarving shops in Oberammergau, Germany, roughly 100+ years ago.