Gold Mounted Foreleg of a Miniature Southeast Asian Mouse-Deer

Object Description

A Fine Gold Mounted Foreleg of a Miniature Southeast Asian Mouse-Deer ‘Tragulus Javanicus’ for use as a Pocket Pipe Tamper Contained in an Original Shagreen Case
Late 18th – Early 19th Century

Size: 7.5cm long – 3 ins long / case: 8.5cm long – 3¼ long

Object Literature

The smallest known hoofed mammal, the Java mouse-deer is about the size of a small rabbit. Measuring about nine inches to the shoulder, they weigh only 5 or 6 pounds. Primarily herbivores they are crepuscular and mostly shy and solitary, although they will defend their territory with sharp, protruding canine tusks. Known as ‘Pak Pelandok’ in Malaysia they were probably first brought back to Europe by members of the East India Company who established a trading base in Malaya in 1786. Historically in Indonesian and Malaysian mythology the mouse-deer is considered a wise creature who through his intelligence and cunning is able to prevail over his much larger enemies.

Object Details