Lovely Old Carved Folk Art Whimsy with Resting Spot for Ball and Pyramid Shaped Top tramp art cross likely from an old model

likely from an old model train set

This one feels to me like a flight of whimsy--pure ornamental pleasure

and with a shimmer to the chenille quite evocative of reverse glass tinsel paintings too

I would guess this whimsy was made as a rattle for little one

with a fold line down the center

Lovely Old Carved Folk Art Whimsy with Resting Spot for Ball and Pyramid Shaped Top tramp art cross likely from an old modelI'm not sure I've ever had a ball in cage whimsy before where the (perfectly round and smooth) ball had its own special resting place, here landing on the little hole carved out at the center of the base every time. Nicely carved details everywhere, feeling fancy in a tramp art sort of a way. 6 5 8" t x 1 7 8" d. Very good condition, with just a bit of remnant of purple felt on the underside of the feet. C. 1920s 40s or so I would guess.