A bronze paper knife letter opener dipicting a dachshund head, Austria 1890.

Austria 1890

The paper knife or letter opener was originally used for cutting open the pages of hand-produced books where the folding of the printed sheets creates some closed edges that require severing of the paper before reading. It’s use have been progressively focused on opening the letter’s enveloppe. This example is cast in two parts made out of solid bronze with touches of patina. The cutting part is secured to the handle by a rivett. The handle opens tridimensionally showing a decoration of a brunch with leaves and a particulary refined and intense head of dachshound wearing his collar.
Austria, circa 1890.

12” – 30 CM H 1,75” – 4,5 CM L 1.75 “ – 4,5 CM D

REF: M5794