Ball in Cage on Chain, Old Folk Art Whimsy Carving signed mannequin including the reverse

including the reverse

with a lushness and energy and sense joy

I'd guess well over a hundred years

and it is possible that both dogs and sleds once sat upon a wood or bone plinth

and then this array of toy figures and animals arranged on the chair beside him

Ball in Cage on Chain, Old Folk Art Whimsy Carving signed mannequin including the reverseAnother week, another carved whimsy, because I love them in all of their variety, and you snap them up as soon as a find them. This one from a dealer in Pennsylvania who always brings a wonderful trove to Brimfield. Earlier 20th century I believe, with a really nice shape to the links, satisfying carve marks all over (I really like it when one can feel the long labor of whittling that ball into round) , and a nice warm dry patina. With graphite marks