Old Cigar Box-Carved Folk Art Squeeze Toy Acrobat pattern dominoes There is a chip to

There is a chip to one side of his tail and a broken back leg on one side but he still stands sturdy on the remaining three

and the cutouts forming heart patterns at the center of the handle

ears and nose

heart decorated iron pieces were usually made for a young women's dowry or as wedding presents

This exceptional example features a roughly alternating series figures and elk or deer on both exterior and interior--typically with the animals on the lower half of the basket and the figures (with one arm raised and appearing to sport antlers) above them

Old Cigar Box-Carved Folk Art Squeeze Toy Acrobat pattern dominoes There is a chip toI've got a weakness for these old acrobat squeeze toy, the folkier the better. This sweet, relatively humble one was made from cigar box wood I believe. I especially love the zig zag silhouette of the head. All arms and legs are well attached via wire pins, with the string threaded through two holes in his hands. 10 1 2" x 2 3 4" x 1" overall. Figure measures 4 1 2" tall. Nice warm dry wood patina.