Very Old Carved Monk (?) Holding Ball (World?) in Big Hands! neck brush with just light aging to

with just light aging to the paper and a couple of very small tears on the front

and though I have not been able to find out much about it

and a nice hook closure at front and hinge on back

Such a charming teapot

11" corner to corner

Very Old Carved Monk (?) Holding Ball (World?) in Big Hands! neck brush with just light aging toThe seller I purchased this carving from thought the figure was a (bald) old woman, but I might think it's a robed monk (?), and that perhaps the large ball in his large hands is a metaphor for the world? Really I have no idea! I do know for sure that it is very old, and quite evocative I think, with this wonderfully expressive, curious round face and these great big hands out front. I think perhaps it was once painted, with the wood now showing