Now here is the story I got on this piece: hewn of American walnut, this folk art piece was carved by a Michigan furniture craftsman in the last quarter of the Nineteenth Century. It seems to be a watch holder (behind the antlers) with space for the items in a man's pocket, watch chain, change etc. The French call these a vide poche. But the maker may have had something else in mind. Nonetheless, this piece depicts an elk trying to climb out of an icy lake. It is a fascinating piece of Ameri ...click for details
This highly-unusual item is a collapsible, pocket-sized drinking cup in the form of a pocket watch. The inscription on the front above and below the applied bird figure reads, "Have a ---- with me". Since the bird appears to be a barn swallow, then, I am assuming it means, " Have a swallow with me". The item measures 3 1/4" loop handle to base, 2 1/8" wide, and 1" deep. It is unsigned American silver plate, late Nineteenth Century and in excellent condition wit ...click for details
I never cease to be amazed by small boxes in all their variety and plethora of design and construction. This one is no exception. There is a rather Eighteenth Century cut-out glued to the pale-yellow pale top, and then lacquered over. Bits of the detail are missing, but in a tantalizing, naive manner. On the inside of the box is painted in black "Lacquer, French chinoiserie 18 Centy Chinoiserie" which leads me to believe that it is a 19th Century pastiche simulating an earlier piece. B ...click for details
