What is this cover?

[niceguy1]

HI

What was this interestingly shaped cover used for? It has 7 holes where a screw or nail would have gone it & a reeded bottom edge.

It’s hallmarked for Edward Pairpoint London 1870 & measures 11 x 10 cm.

Thanks

[SteveDWollongong]

Hi Niceguy1,

I would suggest it is the silver mount from a horse hoof inkwell.

Cheers,
Steve

[JLDoggett]

With those 2 "bumps" on the front I would say it is for a cloven-hoofed animal like an elk or moose.

[SteveDWollongong]

I wondered about the 2 bumps also but when I googled photos of horse hoof inkwells, found they often have them. The mount in question is attached at the top of the hoof and the 2 bumps cater for what is called the hoof "bulb".

Cheers,
Steve

[niceguy1]

Thanks for your help.

[Traintime]

Just to be clear, are we talking real dead animal here or crafted of another material. If so, good luck finding a horse or whatever willing to "lend you a hand" in restoring this!

[JLDoggett]

The hoof would have been from a dead animal, maybe a prized racehorse or from another source.