Old Carved Wooden Ball (Jug!) in Cage Whimsy with Ball on Top swirl PA in 1933

PA in 1933

A very elegant piece that would hold its own amid any collection of beautiful boxes

I'll never pass by an antique Burmese cinnabar-colored lacquer betel box if I can afford it--which increasingly I can't

not visible with lid on

Old Carved Wooden Ball (Jug!) in Cage Whimsy with Ball on Top swirl PA in 1933One of the things I love most about old folk carved whimsies is that even when representing fairly common forms chain links, or balls in cages they show infinite variety and reflect the skill and personality of their maker. This is the first one I've seen where the form inside the "cage" has a flattish bottom and a little carved handle on one side, and if you peer inside you can see its rounded shoulders with the shape of a little cork or plug at top!