Description
Modelled as a Peregrine Falcon Bird of Prey
From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to offer this French Bird of Prey Peregrine Falcon Inkwell. The rare example Inkwell is modelled as a hooded Peregrine Falcon bird of prey perched upon its stand with a circular plinth base. The exceptionally cast bronze features lifelike feathers with gilt accented talons, beak and feather finial. The middle of the falcon features a gilt band stopping it from flying while it is perched, the top band hides the hinged centre which opens to access the inkwell within. The French Bird of Prey Peregrine Falcon Inkwell dates to the second half of the 19th century during the French Belle Epoque period Circa 1880.
Peregrine Falcon
is one of the most impressive birds of prey in the world, known for its incredible speed and striking appearance. Found on every continent except Antarctica, it has adapted to a wide range of environments, from coastal cliffs and open countryside to tall city buildings where it nests high above the ground. Its blue-grey back, barred white underparts, and sharp yellow eye ring make it easy to recognise, but it’s the falcon’s hunting dive, or “stoop,” that truly sets it apart, reaching speeds of over 200 miles per hour, it’s the fastest animal on Earth. Peregrines primarily hunt other birds mid-flight, showcasing extraordinary agility and precision. Once endangered due to pesticide use, especially in the mid-20th century, the species has made a strong comeback thanks to conservation efforts and now thrives in many urban and wild areas around the world.
Throughout history, the Peregrine Falcon has carried powerful symbolic meaning across many cultures. Often associated with speed, precision, and vision, it has come to represent focus, freedom, and determination. In Ancient Egypt, falcons were linked to the god Horus, a sky deity connected with kingship and protection. In medieval Europe, the falcon became a symbol of nobility and status—reserved for the highest-ranking individuals in falconry. Today, people continue to see the peregrine as a sign of resilience, especially after its remarkable recovery from near-extinction. Whether soaring in the wild or perched on a city skyscraper, the bird embodies both grace and strength in motion.
Bird of Prey
are a diverse group of birds that share a common set of traits; sharp talons, hooked beaks, keen eyesight, and a hunting lifestyle. These birds include species like eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, kites, and vultures. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem as top predators, helping to control populations of rodents, insects, and other small animals. What makes them especially fascinating is their incredible range of adaptations: from the silent flight of owls to the high-speed dives of falcons or the soaring grace of eagles. They’ve captured human imagination for centuries, appearing in mythology, heraldry, and hunting traditions around the world. Often seen as symbols of power, focus, or freedom, birds of prey are not only admired for their skill but also for the sense of wildness they carry with them, reminders of nature’s balance and the beauty of untamed flight.
BRONZE
is an alloy consisting primarily of copper with approximately 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals, such as phosphorus, or metalloids such as arsenic or silicon depending on the age of the bronze and its origin. The additions of other metals produce a range of alloys that are usually harder than copper alone and carry useful properties such as strength. The earliest known use of bronze dates to the 5th millennium BCE from Iranian plateau, the bronze mix consists of arsenical copper and copper-arsenide. The earliest tin-copper-alloy recovered is dated to circa 4650 BCE and was found in Plocnik, Serbia. It is believed to have been smelted from a natural tin-copper ore.
MEASUREMENTS
32cm High x 18cm Diameter (12.6 x 7.1 Inches)
CONDITION
Excellent – original patination with general antique wear
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