Grotesque Bird – “Wally Bird” Inkwell
| Categories | Figural - Animals & Living Creatures |
| Type | Bird |
| Material | Pewter |
| Manufacturer | Reinemann, Joseph |
| Origin | Germany |
| Date or Era | circa 1905 |
| Measuring | 5” from beak tip to end; 4 ⅜” high |
This pewter inkwell is in the form of a grotesque bird, with the head hinged to form the lid. The head lifts by his beak to access the ceramic inkwell (white on the inside, dark red glaze on the exterior). He stands on three splayed, webbed feet. Joseph Reinemann of Munich Germany designed this novelty inkwell. The pewter could have been made by the German firm, Kayserzinn, and the ceramic body possibly by Zsolnay (Pecs, Hungary).
This whimsical bird is sometimes referred to as a ‘Wally’ type bird influenced by the popular Martin Brothers’ ceramic grotesques; (inspired by Darwin’s Theory of Evolution), at the turn of the 20th century.
Sale prices have varied depending on completeness and condition, ranging from $160 to $865
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