An Impressive Silver Mounted Presentation Emu Egg Inkwell By J. M. Wendt, Adelaide, Circa 1880

the stippled green egg with an inset cameo scene surmounted by a well with grape and leaf branch cover, the stand modelled as a trunk emenating leafy branches flanked by two emus and an Aboriginal figure holding a boomerang and a club with his foot on a prone kangaroo, the presentation shield inscribed 'Presented by the Shareholders of the National Building Society to B. C. Shierlaw Esq., for his services as Trustee for the past twelve years, Adelaide August 9th, 1882', raised on an oval ebonised plinth base. Impressed marks to base. 25cm wide, 25cm high. Lot sold 31,200 AUD

Sotheby's. The Connoisseur's Spring Collection, Including the Private Collection of Colin Lennox and Tom Gillies, John Stephens and The Late John Klinger. 28 Oct 08. Melbourne. Photo courtesy Sotheby's. www.sothebys.com