Vintage Relief Carving of Melancholic Looking Young Man Galium trifidum a giant pest

a giant pest

or to fill with a couple of little treasures and give as a gift basket

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

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

though the arched back

Vintage Relief Carving of Melancholic Looking Young Man Galium trifidum a giant pestNot 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