Lots of curious carved figures of uncertain origin today. This charmer, in his painted cap and heavy wool knit coat over elegant printed fabric scarf, looks like a jockey to me, though the horse, or carriage, he rode in on is long gone. Wonderful little carved face, with painted beard and mustache, and best of all these very gestural arms, crossing each other to reach in opposite direction (and which also raise and lower some) terminating in what appear to be lead, rather claw-like hands, which I presume once held reins, though I suppose he could have sat in a boat and been rowing oars. As is, gripping nothing, he feels like a terrific representation of being crosswise, or at a crossroads, not quite knowing which way to turn or which end is up!
4" tall. 1" diameter at base. His body is wood inside of the fabric. He will not stand on his own--certainly he once fit inside of a seat or saddle or something. In first photo I posed him inside a little treen lid, and then nailed a brad into a little scrap of wood and set him atop it to show it would be very easy to make him a little base; a thin nail will easily hold him pressed into him from below. Very good condition, with some good age for sure.
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