Five Balls in Cage Eight Inch Whimsy, Marion, Ohio, 1966 figurative nutcracker and all arranged in rows

and all arranged in rows surrounded by shading in autumnal shades of burnt orange and ochre

I found her at an estate sale loaded with Victorian era antiques

but also terrific used as a serving plate

where he created a range of Judaic objects including Hanukkah lamps and candlesticks as well as jewellery and figurines such as these

There is some some wear and cracking to the interior lacquer particularly on the underside of the lid

Five Balls in Cage Eight Inch Whimsy, Marion, Ohio, 1966 figurative nutcracker and all arranged in rowsI love that the maker of this whimsy used the balls not only to sign it (ELD) and date it (1966), but also to note the site of its making, which appears to be Gran Camp Gorge (noted on one ball), Marion Ohio (on another)! And then they carved their monogram and date again into either end, just to be sure it would endure! A pretty good job they did I think, though the balls are somewhat irregular in size and shape, with the first ball, with no writing