HORSE HOOF INKWELL

In the 19th century it was a common practice for British gentlemen to transform into an inkwell the hoof of their dead horse.
It was the simple way to remember the beloved companion of happy moments or to commemorate a horse races winner. Often the inkwell was inscribed with name, age and victories of the horse.
Usually the metal framework of the inkwell was made by silversmiths or electroplaters, while the task of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the hoof could be reserved to taxidermists. The best known British taxidermist was James Rowland Ward (1848-1912), founder of Rowland Ward Ltd active in taxidermy until the 1970s.