This carved whimsy is quite the opposite of refined, which is much of what I love about it, plus the fact that both end pieces can be stood up, with the two links crossed above them, making it perfect for sitting like a sculpture on a shelf. It's big and chunky--16 1/4" inches long when stretched out and 1 5/8 inches wide and deep --and the ball makes a nice rattle in its cage when shaken! It would be good hung on the wall by one of the links, too.
Carved from one piece of wood and in good condition, with minor dings and scrapes here and there, all to the good in this case. I am not certain of the age, but it's definitely got some years on it.