Inkwell, a gift from Robert Burns to John Lapraik

This inkwell is fashioned from a pony hoof. It was given by Robert Burns to his friend and mentor, John Lapraik, in 1793.   Lapraik was a farmer and fellow poet who befriended Burns and encouraged him to write in his early years.  Lapraik provided both the subject and inspiration for two of Burns' finest verse epistles, "First Epistle to John Lapraik" and "Second Epistle to John Lapraik".   The brass lid is engraved, "Presented to Mr Lapraik by his Much respected Friend Robt Burns".