Long Whittled Whimsy with Ball in Cage inside Cage, 17 Inches unique basket and “Precious and Other Stones

and “Precious and Other Stones Used in Jewelry”

I've found a handful of other photographs by Lamon out there from the late 1880s-early 1890s

With a great patina of wear from use

And note the tiny carved "x"s on one side of the whimsy

Everything about this lovely stoneware bowl makes me believe it is a piece by highly collectible mid-century studio potter Frank C

Long Whittled Whimsy with Ball in Cage inside Cage, 17 Inches unique basket and “Precious and Other StonesI like whimsies that feel singular, product of the particular skills and sensibilities of their particular makers, almost like portraits. This one is of that sort the carver was not concerned with fineness or perfection, but they were creative and ambitious making each segment different, and one with a rare ball inside a cage inside a cage! I also really like long thin whimsies of an architectural nature, feeling almost like levels or rulers taking