Sensitive Old Low Relief Carving of World Wise Looking Woman French drawing Perfectly worn

Perfectly worn

Plus a great pencil drawn face on the both sides

which was used on items imported by Ebeling & Reuss of Philadelphia—combining the E and R of Ebeling and Reuss with “Philia” of Philadelphia

Wijk aan Zee and Zandvoort

with patina to copper and minor cracking of wood (visible in face) consistent with age and adding character

Sensitive Old Low Relief Carving of World Wise Looking Woman French drawing Perfectly wornI read this figure as a woman, and what first came to my mind when I saw it was Willa Cather's My Antonia, or perhaps a character from Steinbeck, persevering with grace and determination through one trial after another. She looks a bit weary for sure, but to me like quite a force, and I find this carving beautifully tender and nuanced and honest of the sort that might offer a feeling of kinship when things feel pretty tough! 6 13 16" x 5 1 8" x 7 8"