Bull / Longhorn’s Head Figural Inkwell

This inkwell is in the form of a detailed bull’s (or longhorn’s) head with prominent horns. The head is made of a cast spelter metal (a zinc alloy), finished with a silver color. The top of the bull’s head is a hinged lid that lifts to reveal the well for the ink. The detail of the metal casting captures the animal’s textured hide, powerful snout, and expression.

History and Origin

Figural inkwells like this were popular desk accessories in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The style is part of a broader artistic movement known as animalier art, which focused on realistic depictions of animals. While fine art examples of this style were cast in bronze by French sculptors, many decorative and novelty pieces like this were mass-produced using more affordable metals such as spelter.