A nice complement to the ink blotter I just listed, this little carved marble shoe was made to hold ink/quill pens, and perhaps there was once a carved marble ink well to accompany it. You know I love a carved shoe, and even better in marble. There is some faint carving on one side; I can make out "garden", which makes me think this was a folk souvenir from the Garden of the Gods in Colorado--from which I have also seen a few carved marble books over time.  Late 19th/early 20th c.

4 1/4" x 1 7/8" t x 15/16" w and in good condition, with general wear but no significant chips or other issues.