Well Carved, Very Old Single Ball in Cage Whimsy letter holder taking place on the lawn

taking place on the lawn in front of a brick house

and especially the crooked mouth filled with a mix of gold and black teeth

Heavy and smooth

with nice twisted wire handle and all of the loops in place and connected to form a cluster

as well as along the rim of the interior

Well Carved, Very Old Single Ball in Cage Whimsy letter holder taking place on the lawnA simple, and I think quite an elegant one with those tall, nicely rounded arches to the cage and a very round ball inside, which is pretty tight in the cage rolling around inside but tight enough to stick at top if one tries. 19th c. I believe, with a wonderful dark patina to the dry wood, and of a nice scale at almost 6 inches long. 5 7 8" x 1 11 16" x 1 11 16" and in very good antique condition.