Little Red Riding Hood Inkwell

This is a delightful figural inkwell based on the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century.

Description of the Little Red Riding Hood Inkwell

The inkwell is a single piece designed as a miniature diorama representing the setting of the famous fairy tale.

• Material: The main structure is made of pot metal or spelter (a zinc alloy), which was a common, inexpensive base metal for casting detailed decorative objects during the period.
• Inkwell Body: The primary inkwell reservoir is cleverly disguised as Grandmother’s House. It is shaped like a small, rustic cottage with textured exterior walls and a detailed roof.
  • The roof is hinged and lifts to reveal the ink reservoir inside.
  • The reservoir itself is a separate, removable ceramic insert.
• Figural Elements: the key characters:
  • Little Red Riding Hood is depicted standing near the house, distinguishable by her long cloak and hood.
  • The Big Bad Wolf, his head sticking out from the window, embodies the core conflict of the story.

Synopsis of Little Red Riding Hood

The fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” (or “Little Redcap”) is an iconic European folk tale, best known today through the versions by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm.

A young girl, known for the red hooded cloak she wears, is sent by her mother to deliver food to her sick grandmother who lives in a cottage in the woods. Along the way, she meets a cunning wolf, who learns where she’s going. The wolf races ahead, devours the grandmother, and then disguises himself in her bedclothes. When Little Red Riding Hood arrives, she notices her “grandmother” looks unusual, leading to the famous dialogue: “Oh, Grandmother, what big ears you have! … What big eyes you have! … What big teeth you have!” The wolf then reveals himself and eats the girl as well. In the Brothers Grimm version, a huntsman later arrives, cuts the wolf open, and rescues both the girl and the grandmother.