Black Forest Breinzware Walnut Inkwell, carved as a reclining Swiss Mountain Dog, with a hinged top, and two interior glass inkwells, Brienz, Switzerland ca. 1880. Beautifully detailed and finely carved.

Jay Arenski, et al, quotes Swiss Poet Heinrich Federer, who said in his memoirs, "Woodcarving brought riches to the village [of Brienz]. It became all the fashion and no Englishman left the Bernese Highlands without having seen the Giessbach, having eaten a fat roasted eel, and having bought a Brienz woodcarving." Arenski continues, "Thus, as the tourist industry flourished and thrived, so did the carvers, selling their wares to the well-heeled visitors."

This fashion had been set in motion by Queen Victoria's visit to the area in April 1868, and by her subsequent inspiration to build a Swiss chalet at Osborne House and fill it with Black Forest Swiss carvings (see footnote).

BOOK REFERENCE:

Jay Areneski, Simon Daniels and Michael Daniels, Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forest' 1820-1940, Suffolk, UK: Antique Collectors' Club, Publishers, 2005, pp. 13-14.

Dimensions: Height: 4.25 in (10.8 cm) x Width: 10 in (25.4 cm) x Depth: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)

Condition: Good - Wear consistent with age and use.