Antique Folk Art Hand-carved Snake in a Box! antique package I would guess this whimsy

I would guess this whimsy was made as a rattle for little one

quite a long time ago I believe

complete with swords and daggers

including around the edges of the bottom black-painted wood piece

and a super pop of color for the shelf or wherever--though one could certainly still tie a leash on him and pull him around

Antique Folk Art Hand-carved Snake in a Box! antique package I would guess this whimsyHandmade boxes with surprise carved snakes inside seem to have become a thing right around 1900, which is about how old I'd guess this one is. Sadly, the slide top lid to this lovely grain painted wooden box is long gone, but a string attached to the snake inside does the trick for making him emerge! The snake itself is pretty terrific I think, with hand painted details (in ink I believe) and tiny nails for eyes, and a knot in the string can be used