Great Dane Bronze Pen Wipe

This is a fine example of a late 19th or early 20th-century Austrian cold-painted bronze pen wipe. These functional desk accessories were staples of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, designed to clean the nibs of dip pens.

Breed Identification: Great Dane

Based on the powerful musculature, the square muzzle with heavy jowls, and the cropped ears (which were standard for the breed during that era), this dog is a Great Dane. The long, slender, upward-curving tail and the alert, “regal” stance are also hallmarks of Great Dane depictions in antique Vienna bronzes.

Marking: “Geschützt”

The mark “Geschützt” is the German term for “Protected” or “Registered.” * It functioned similarly to a copyright or patent mark in Austria and Germany.

• In the context of Vienna bronzes, it indicates that the specific design was legally protected from being copied by rival foundries. While it doesn’t name the artist, it is a hallmark of an authentic period piece from a professional foundry.

Description

Form & Anatomy: The dog is depicted in a standing, alert posture. The casting is highly detailed, showing realistic skin folds around the neck and distinct musculature in the haunches and shoulders. The head is slightly turned, giving the piece a sense of life. The ears are cropped to points, and the tail is held high in a graceful curve.

The Pen Wipe Feature: The center of the dog’s back is hollowed out to hold a thick, oval-shaped natural bristle brush (made of hog hair). The bristles are dark brown and remain densely packed. In a period desk set, the writer would “stab” their ink-covered nib into these bristles to remove excess ink and prevent clumping.

Color & Finish:

• Body: The piece features a “cold-painted” finish, a technique where layers of pigment were applied to the cast bronze without firing. The primary color is a charcoal grey with subtle silvery-blue undertones, textured to mimic a short-haired coat.
• Collar: A prominent feature is the ochre-yellow buckled collar, decorated with embossed “brass” studs.
• Accents: The nose is finished with a touch of gold/brass pigment, and the eyes are delicately painted, giving the dog a focused expression.

Condition Note: The piece shows a desirable “honest” patina. There is some expected thinning of the cold paint on the high-friction areas—specifically the tips of the ears, the tail, and the nose—revealing the warm bronze/metal tones beneath. This wear is consistent with its age and adds to its authenticity.