Brass paper in the form of a horse's hoof.
 
In the 18th and early 19th century correspondence would be folded and then sealed with a wax disc. Although the envelope was invented as early as 200 BC, it didnt come into comman use until the 1850s when machines were used to make an envelope as we would recognise today.
The paper knife was a neccesary daily tool to open your mornings correspondence, these came in all shapes and designs and various metals, such as brass, silver , silverplate and wood.As the century moved on elaborate designs became popular.
 
In good condition.
 
Measuring: 21cm long x 2cm