Miniature 1931 Carved Lock Whimsy Love Token? hand-carved beaver black and brown lacquer

black and brown lacquer

it came from a sketchbook of her drawings from that time--when she was teaching at the Harlem Art Center and working at the New York branch of the WPA graphics division

along with a complete set of instructions for using

and perhaps that is the head of a fish next to it

They are 6 1/2" long and 1/4" diameter

Miniature 1931 Carved Lock Whimsy Love Token? hand-carved beaver black and brown lacquerI'd like to think this sweet little carved locked was made as a wedding or anniversary gift a token of love and commitment that would endure for many years to come. Now, if one should be so lucky as to have a living relative born in 1931, it would make a perfect gift to give straight away! 1 5 8" x 7 8" x 5 8"; the perfect scale to wear around one's neck. The wood is aged and there are a few spots of what I think is a little white paint on the side