Miniature 1931 Carved Lock Whimsy Love Token? hand-carved beaver it came from a sketchbook

it came from a sketchbook of her drawings from that time--when she was teaching at the Harlem Art Center and working at the New York branch of the WPA graphics division

The box and plates are in near perfect condition

which suggests perhaps she is actually better used for growing herbs to complete dishes gleaned from Moosewood or my favorite

and perhaps that is the head of a fish next to it

and I believe dates from the 1930s

Miniature 1931 Carved Lock Whimsy Love Token? hand-carved beaver it came from a sketchbookI'd like to think this sweet little carved locked was made as a wedding or anniversary gift a token of love and commitment that would endure for many years to come. Now, if one should be so lucky as to have a living relative born in 1931, it would make a perfect gift to give straight away! 1 5 8" x 7 8" x 5 8"; the perfect scale to wear around one's neck. The wood is aged and there are a few spots of what I think is a little white paint on the side