SCRATCH, Antique Carved Marble Folk Art Match Striker brass hedgehog I love envisioning its maker

I love envisioning its maker sitting down with ink pen

with a little wobble to a couple of the legs when you pick it up

with a light fold midway down

this excellent old solid brass one bearing a perfectly rendered hourglass

showing off the dexterity of its maker

SCRATCH, Antique Carved Marble Folk Art Match Striker brass hedgehog I love envisioning its makerThis was of my favorite finds from my road trip this summer, which I found in Kansas City, Missouri, purchased from a dealer with a treasure trove of fabulous things, many of which he wouldn't part with. I finally coaxed him into selling me this one, which I find just about a perfect object, and which I had to hold on to for a bit to enjoy. Carved of marble and weighing about 6 1 2 pounds, it's an oversized match striker, with "Scratch" carved in