Hunter Bull Dog Smoking a Pipe

This novelty inkwell is an example of anthropomorphic art from the turn of the century, specifically from a series of “costume” bulldogs that were popular. See also this Inkipedia listing: Dog – Sailor Bulldogs Smoking – The Society of Inkwell Collectors (SOIC)

Physical Description

• Subject: A seated bulldog portrayed with human-like characteristics. He is smoking a pipe and has a rifle (or musket) slung across his front.
• Material: It is made of spelter (a zinc-based alloy used as a more affordable alternative to bronze) and decorated with cold painting, a technique where enamel paint is applied to the metal without firing.
• Functionality: The dog’s head is hinged at the neck. When tilted back, it reveals a white ceramic inkwell insert.

The Hat: Tyrolean / Alpine

The hat is a Tyrolean hat (also known as an Alpine or Bavarian hat).

• Traditional Features: It features the characteristic tapered crown and a narrow brim.
• Hunting Context: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, this style was the standard headwear for foresters and hunters in the German and Austrian Alps.
• Details: On this piece, the green paint and the “brush” or “feather” detail (the Gamsbart) on the side are classic indicators of a hunter’s Alpine cap.

Maker and Origin

Identifying the exact maker is difficult because these pieces were rarely marked, but there are two primary theories:

Historical Context

These inkwells date to circa 1900. They belong to a wider category of “Whimsies” or novelty desk ware that appealed to the Victorian and Edwardian fascination with dogs and personified animals.