Capercaillie Inkwell

Antique 19th Century Victorian Austrian Bronze Inkwell signed “R. Winder” on the base and attributed to the Austrian sculptor Rudolf Winder (1842 to 1920), renowned for finely detailed and functional wildlife bronzes. Winder specialized in realistic, naturalistic studies of animals, particularly birds, hunting dogs, and horses, distinguished by careful anatomical accuracy, richly textured surfaces, and expressive posture. Many of his models were adapted into decorative desk objects such as inkwells, desk stands, and paperweights.

This Vienna cold painted bronze depicts a male capercaillie (wood grouse) in full breeding plumage, captured in a dynamic display posture used to attract a mate. The capercaillie, a rare and striking species, is still found today in regions such as the Scottish Highlands.

The bird stands atop a textured, naturalistic branch that bears the sculptor’s signature. The inkwell features two hinged compartments. The head lifts to reveal a pen wipe, used to remove excess ink from a dip pen nib after writing, while the body hinges at the base of the tail to reveal twin ink pots concealed within.