Curious Folk Art Bone Carving with Cat and Dog and Bird hinged lid box holder for pencils

holder for pencils

and the more I look at real Chinese Cinnabar carving

and the piece pretty existential

otherwise very good antique condition

The shiniest bits are at the centers of their bases

Curious Folk Art Bone Carving with Cat and Dog and Bird hinged lid box holder for pencilsI don't know the origins of this curious folk art creation, which I purchased from a good auction in New Hampshire, but how could I resist this little dog in his doghouse with bone just below on one side, and cat just around the corner?! Plus a bird just about to fly out of the stylized tree above. Carved of what I believe is likely cow bone, which has been hollowed out inside, and decorated all the way around. Definitely it has a good bit of age to