Vintage Relief Carving of Melancholic Looking Young Man Galium trifidum reddish stained turned wooden handle

reddish stained turned wooden handle features a hole near the end for easy hanging

nice and heavy

and then I noticed the tenderly hand-stitched repairs at each of the corners

I believe this sweet little wooden box was a Florentine souvenir

a giant pest

Vintage Relief Carving of Melancholic Looking Young Man Galium trifidum reddish stained turned wooden handleNot an especially skillful carving, but it's one I'd be inclined to have an ongoing conversation with, encouraging this young fellow to cheer up a bit! I've got a bit of a weakness for what might be described as portraits of the artist as a young man (or young woman!) and would venture to guess this was indeed a self portrait, maybe carved in art class, capturing its maker in a moment of youthful angst. 9 3 4" x 7 5 8" x 5 8" thick, with a dark stain