A rare, charming Victorian penwipe, featuring a pair of brown velvet mice – mummy and baby. Penwipes were introduced in the mid to late 19th century, alongside the widespread use of steel nib pens and quills.

This penwipe is made of layered wool felt discs, though buckskin was also used. The top velvet layer is decorated with silk embroidery, showing a little wear, with a circle of card underneath.

The cute mice are stuffed, and have teeny black bead eyes, with brown thread whiskers. Their ears appear to be painted brown buckskin, much of which has flaked off leaving the natural white of the hide, and their tails are threads of wool.

The base of the wipe still has the remains of its paper label, now blank. Overall, though, the penwipe is in very good condition, and a delightful relic from days gone by.