Equestrian Inkstand with Dog

This bronze-finished spelter inkstand was made in Austria between the late 19th century and the early 1920s (circa 1890–1915).

Description

The inkstand features a detailed figural scene of a woman riding sidesaddle on a horse, with a small dog running alongside the horse’s front legs.

• The Figures: The woman is dressed in traditional riding attire, including a long, flowing skirt and a rounded hat (possibly a bowler or riding hat). The horse is depicted in a standing or slow walking pose, and the small dog—likely a terrier or hound—adds a sense of motion to the scene.
• The Inkwell: The inkwell is disguised as a tree stump on the right side of the base. It features a hinged lid that opens to reveal a glass ink reservoir. The stump is textured to mimic rough bark and is situated on a slight elevation.
• The Base: The base is rectangular with a slightly flared, rounded edge on the right. It features a textured surface resembling grassy or uneven terrain and includes a shallow, recessed area in the front that serves as a pen tray.
• Finish and Markings: The piece has a warm bronze patina. The underside shows the stamped “AUSTRIA” mark.

Estimating the Age

Based on the style of the riding habit and the “Austria” export stamp, this piece most likely dates to around 1890 to 1914.

During this time, Austrian foundries (most notably in Vienna) were world-renowned for “Vienna Bronzes” and high-quality cold-painted metalwork. While many of these were solid bronze, many export models were made of white metal (spelter) with a bronze wash to make them more accessible. The “Austria” mark became mandatory for items imported into the US after the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, which helps ground the earliest possible date for this specific piece.