A rare Victorian novelty silver pencil

A rare Victorian novelty silver pencil,

by Edward and Son, circa 1882,

modelled as a sphinx, with a ring attachment, the base inscribed ' Tel-El-Kebir, 13 Sept.1882', the base inscribed 'D. Martin', length closed 3.8cm.

Provenance: The KB Collection of Pencils.

Illustrated in Bull, K., The KB Collection of Pencils, private publication, 2012, page 63.

The battle of Tel-el-Kebir was between the Egyptian army, led by Ahmed Urabi, and the British military, fought near Tel-el-Kebir. After discontented Egyptian officers rebelled in 1882, the British reacted to protect its financial and expansionist interest in the country, and in particular the Suez Canal, which opened to shipping in 1869.