Hand-Carved Cat Figural Inkstand

Detailed Description

• Overall Form: A figural inkstand carved to depict an intimate domestic scene: a mother cat watching over her sleeping kitten all resting on a cushioned bed.
• Material: The piece is carved from a light, fine-grained wood, most likely Linden wood (Tilia), and then given a dark stain or patina to enhance the appearance of the carved fur and to mimic a richer hardwood.
• Figural Subjects:
  • Mother Cat: The larger cat is carved in a protective, alert posture. It features striking, realistic glass eyes that give the piece an immediate, lifelike connection. The carving captures the texture of the fur and the natural poses of the animals.
  • Kitten: The kitten is curled up, sound asleep.
  • Inkwell Mechanism: The functional element is concealed under the kitten. The kitten lifts to access the inkwell. This may originally have been hinged. Inside is a glass inkwell, but not original to the piece.

Age and Origin Assessment

We believe this to be a Swiss carving, falling under the broader umbrella of Black Forest carving (the style was shared across the Alpine regions of Germany and Switzerland). Swiss carvers, particularly from the Brienz region, were renowned for their highly detailed and often sentimental animal subjects.

• Origin: Black Forest Region / Brienz, Switzerland.
• Style: Late Victorian / Edwardian era figural novelty item. The market for these detailed, charming pieces was driven by tourism and a general love for animal subjects in the late 19th century.
• Age Estimate: circa 1880 – 1915