Rare cast brass inkwell modelled as William Shakespeare’s famous character Sir John Falstaff, Germany 2nd half 19th century.

Germany circa 1890

A rare 19th-century inkwell and dusting pan made of bronze-patinated cast brass, with gilded details, depicting John Falstaff, inspired by Friedrich Wilhelm August Castner. Composed of five detachable pieces. The head serves as a lid for the dusting pan, located on the upper part of the body, used to dry freshly written ink. The lower part is the ink container. The sword, with the blade of a small knife inserted inside, and the dagger. On the front base, a phrase from William Shakespeare’s Henry IV is engraved in German: So lag ich, und so führte ich meine Klinge (Thus I lay, and thus I guided my blade). Germany, second half 19th century.

5,25” – 13,5 CM H 8” – 20 CM L 4,25” – 11 CM D

REF: M6176