Equestrian Themed Lidded Stein
Decorative art, specifically a drinking vessel (Stein / Humpen) • German school; likely produced by a specialist workshop in the Odenwald or Geislingen regions known for bone and antler carving
Style & Movement
Historicism / German Renaissance Revival (Gründerzeit)
Medium & Technique
Hand-carved bovine bone or horn body with cast brass or bronze mounts
Creation Period
Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century (circa 1880-1910)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8-10 inches in height; vertical cylindrical format
Subject Description
The vessel features equestrian and hunting iconography. The lid is surmounted by a cast metal horse head with a rowel spur acting as a thumb-lift. Most notably, the handle is fashioned in the shape of a horse's leg ending in a hoof. The body consists of vertically fluted segments of bone.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair; shows age-appropriate wear and significant oxidation to the metal components
Estimated Market Value
$250 - $450 USD
Auction Estimate
$150 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Reported family heirloom of German origin. Likely purchased as a luxury souvenir or presentation piece in Central Europe during the late 1800s.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the popular 19th-century European fascination with 'Wunderkammer' (cabinet of curiosities) aesthetics, blending natural materials with industrial metal casting. It reflects the German cultural importance of the hunting and equestrian tradition within social drinking customs.
Notable Features
Unique horse-leg handle design and spur-shaped thumb-lift; use of multi-part bone construction rather than a single ivory or ceramic piece.
Condition Issues
Visible surface oxidation (verdigris) on the brass/bronze mounts; vertical hairline cracks (drying cracks) inherent to aged bone; surface grime and potential loss of original silver plating (if it was once silvered).
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning of metal components to stabilize oxidation; maintain stable humidity to prevent further cracking of the organic bone body; avoid chemical polishes that could seep into the porous bone material.
Collector Notes
Family heirloom, German origin