Elegant Large Signed Ball in Cage Whimsy, 1975 antique boxing toy with the original nails removed

with the original nails removed and a very dark brown stain added

persisting underneath the array of cut marks

homely pair

This dark green painted bentwood box features finely rendered flying gold-painted cranes or herons amid curling lines evocative of clouds or water

I believe it is a dog's head

Elegant Large Signed Ball in Cage Whimsy, 1975 antique boxing toy with the original nails removedIf I were to imagine the perfect single ball in cage whimsy, this would pretty much be it! Very skillfully carved, with super elegant lines I really love how the round of the ball is echoed perfectly by the curved walls of the cage at top and bottom, and held in by the very thinnest of walls; just lovely. And it really feels quite luxurious at about 7 3 4 inches tall as much as a small modernist sculpture as a folk carving! Happily it is signed and