Amazing Antique Hitched Horsehair Quirt, C. Late 19th/Early 20th Century cigar box It appears to be April

It appears to be April 2

both in its making and in its patina of wear and use

or so I believe and I would guess New England

configured in different ways

In the corner

Amazing Antique Hitched Horsehair Quirt, C. Late 19th/Early 20th Century cigar box It appears to be AprilI'm quite obsessed with this. I wasn't sure exactly what it was when I found it, but knew it was quite an exquisitely made thing, made entirely of dyed and very finely knotted horsehair, creating glorious patterns, with a leather strip threaded through leather loop at the end. Incredible. With a little research I've learned a bit about the world of quirts: short whips associated with the Southwestern US, used to urge a horse to greater speed, but