Marvelous Antique Whaler Made Folk Art Snuff Box with Primitive Figures antique retable on wood and those wing-like lace shoulders

and those wing-like lace shoulders that really sold me on this

and our author really loved her onomatopoeia--the poems are filled with snaps

Most often one sees a little breakage to the splints at the very center of the lid on these here there is visible bend

with portions of prints on reverse

And note that even the hand-drawn eyes are hearts (with long eyelashes)

Marvelous Antique Whaler Made Folk Art Snuff Box with Primitive Figures antique retable on wood and those wing-like lace shouldersThis may just be my favorite find ever, combining just about everything that I love most in one very singular small object. It is a snuff box, pre 1850 I believe based on style and construction, and I am quite sure whaler made. In stark contrast to the fancier scrimshawing one typically sees on whale teeth and the like, what I love about this is the primitiveness of these carved figures, one on one side and a pair on the other, and with these almost