antique carved shoe horn made of and usual bone

[greenacres]

This was found in Old City Philadelphia. I can't seem to figure out what the material is.

[KC]

The "shoe horn" appears to be made out of horn.  Typically oxen horn or bull horn were used.

[greenacres]

Thanks. It looks like a rat to me. You can see the carved teeth.

[sapphire]

Don't know about a rat......maybe a bat??  Whatever it is, it sure ain't pretty!   

[greenacres]

LOL, we've become fond of him. only a face a mother can love

[KC]

A gargoyle?

[greenacres]

maybe, it also has a tail. now i'm starting to think why we liked him so much. lol

[fancypants]

Altho I've searched for one like yours and found none , perhaps it may be theme-based upon a famous brand ?

[greenacres]

I've seen carved shoe horns, but none like this. I definitely don't think it was manufactured. It was hand done.

[sapphire]

greenacres, while I don't know anything about these (or much else  ) I'm thinking, because of the length of it, your shoe horn was made for riding boots.  

This doesn't look like yours, figure wise, but the length and fact that they feel it was personally carved for someone in relation to their possible interests makes it a possibility.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HUNTING-RIDING-BOOT-SHOEHORN-CARVED-GREYHOUND-DOG-HEAD_W0QQitemZ370284395666QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20091103?IMSfp=TL091103169002r14755#ht_1172wt_1167


I wish they had included more pics for comparison. But you can see the wrist strap attached as with yours.

Edited to add:  Oops, I should have scrolled down a little further 

[sapphire]

Another, again with similarities.  They mention a gargoyle head, unfortunately there is no closeup.....but the shaft does look close to yours.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHOE-HORN-GARGOYLE-HEAD-EXTREMELY-RARE-WOODEN-RARE-NICE_W0QQitemZ370186884307QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=&itemid=370186884307#ht_1135wt_941

[sapphire]

Getting closer    Check the additional pics (Zoom, then Next)

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-dog-boot-or-shoe-horn-w-orig-label-from

[KC]

These items were very prestigious to own for the well-to-do.  Many were custom made!  So this probably had a personal connection to the original owner.

I

[greenacres]

Thanks alot I'll check out the site

[greenacres]

Sapphire I v'e seen the one you posted as I was researching, But it was hard to tell that it wasn't the same material, so I wasn't sure. Thanks