Late 19th-Century Mounted Ram Horn Cornucopia Desk Ornament

A late Victorian desk ornament or novelty cornucopia, formed from a natural spiral horn—likely ovine or caprine—secured in an encircling cast bronze collar. The horn exhibits prominent natural ribbing along its lower curve before tapering to a sharp tip, curling upwards in classical horn-of-plenty fashion.

The central metal fitting features beaded borders and a cast palmette motif, joined by a turned standard to an elaborate base. Cast in the Rococo-revival taste, the spreading foot is heavily ornamented with stylised acanthus foliage, gadrooning, and scrolled bracket feet, providing both ballast and decorative weight to balance the curved organic form.

Originally intended as a cabinet curiosity, pipe holder, or mantlepiece ornament, it retains a deep, untouched patina across both the horn and the metalwork. The mouth of the horn remains unlined, showing the natural fibrous structure and lamellar edge of the material.