Sweet Old Primitive Straw Brush / Miniature Broom with Iron Wire and Nail hand-painted wooden snake also visible at the center

also visible at the center of the underside of the lid and on the bottom of the basket

This charming papier-mâché sculpture of Asian girl and lion-dog I believe is mid-century Japanese

and most definitely if I found toothpaste being sold in a great looking ceramic jar I would most certainly scoop it right up--as someone else did with this at more than 100 years ago

like petrified driftwood

The hinges remain attached

Sweet Old Primitive Straw Brush / Miniature Broom with Iron Wire and Nail hand-painted wooden snake also visible at the centerThis reads to me rather like a salesman sample for a full scale handmade straw broom, but I assume it was made as a small utilitarian scrub brush. The brush is fine straw, wrapped in iron wire, with an old iron nail on either side. The handle is wood, which feels hand carved, with a rounded end and a great dry patina. A satisfying and to my eye quite beautiful small thing. 8 1 8 t x 2 5 16 diameter at widest bristles. Good and sturdy condition, with a