Spencerian Bird in Red Ink with Branch in Beak, 1896 Red Ink Drawing memorials and what a smart and

and what a smart and lovely thing for Jones McDuffee and Stratton Pottery Merchants to have gifted to its patrons to remember them throughout the year

dating to either the later 17th or early 18th century

is signed (incised) Mottahedeh on the underside and features its original sticker

I believe its maker likely modeled it on other lambs made using molds (see last photo for an example)--but SO much better to be  hand-sculpted

Spencerian Bird in Red Ink with Branch in Beak, 1896 Red Ink Drawing memorials and what a smart andI resist a good number of Spencerian calligraphic birds, drawn on calling cards and sometimes on pages in autograph albums, as this was they're very lovely, but often one nearly the same as the next. No way I could pass on this dove though, finely rendered in red ink, branch in beak, by someone quite expert in the form, with quite a complex flurry of furling leaves framing it. A charming example, dated 1896 at lower left. 7 3 8" x 5 11 16". Very good