Antique Letter Opener Novelty Brass Lizard Head & Torso Handle Buffalo Horn Body

A very decorative and unusual novelty item of Victorian period brassware. A cast brass and buffalo horn letter opener in the shape of an Italian wall lizard or ruins lizard.

We think that it is most probably Austrian in manufacture, in the style of Franz Bergmann and dates from around 1900 during the late Victorian period.This antique letter opener is an amusing design, the head and front torso of scaly lizard or gecko type creature with glass eyes, forms the handle, which is attached to a slightly wavy shaped flattened buffalo horn body that is the blade of the letter opener. 

This strange and almost Darwinian combination makes a very interesting and decorative desk top item.

The letter opener is 10 1/2 inches (27 cm) long and stands 1 inch (2.5cm) high and weighs 48g. It is in good antique condition, some marks and very minor de-lamination to the horn body which has be reglued to the brass body in the past. There is evidence of plating which has worn off. The glass eyes may possibly be replacements. Commensurate with age and use.

This is a great looking item of Victorian metalware and a very decorative and useful desktop item.