Though not always my cup of tea, the skillfulness of Black Forest carving is hard to deny--which this snuff-box-scale carved and hinged box exemplifies--and this one is very much indeed my cup of tea! I'm thinking it is a wolf--though not far off in visage to wild boars and also bears in the Black Forest manner--and inexplicably more finally carved on one side than the other (which I suppose could mean it represents two different creatures, but I'm not entirely sure.) Whatever the case, a wonderfully detailed and rather intimidating looking creature (perfect for stashing --and guarding--some small precious thing--and of just the right scale to evoke a sense of wonder at its fineness.
3 9/16" w x 2 1/2" x 1 5/8" d closed. Excellent condition. Earlyish 20th c. I believe.
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