Antique Black and Gold Painted Lock Shaped Ball in Cage Carved Whimsy letter knife variations on a theme becoming

variations on a theme becoming in a sense portraits of their makers

became popular in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279)

Things like this just crush my heart

then a nice fat braid across the top for a handle

Antique Black and Gold Painted Lock Shaped Ball in Cage Carved Whimsy letter knife variations on a theme becomingA great old one, and an unusual one for the old black and mellow gold paint on it, with painted designs, including several X's, giving it a bit of a mystical feel, as if it once dangled at the end of a chain used in secret ceremonies who knows?! Nicely carved with a very round ball in the cage and a great old alligatored surface now. Good for hanging from a nail on the wall, setting somewhere, or wearing around one's neck as a dramatic pendant! 5 3 8"