Vintage Carved Amber? Lion From Aesop's Fable The Lion & The Mouse Wood Base
Description: A hand carved figure of a lion with a mouse on his nose. The carving shows a lion standing on a log with his back hunched over and having a mouse running over his nose. This amber carving is a scene from the Aesop famous fable of "The Lion and The Mouse." In the fable the lion spares the mouse that woke him up and the mouse eventually paid him back for this act of kindness by freeing him from some hunter's net. The carving is attached to a round stepped base with felt under. The carving is very well done and shows very nice details of the lion, his mane, his claws, and the mouse running over his nose. We believe that the carving is made of amber but we are not completely certain, so we are selling the piece as found. The piece is soiled, has a few scratches, and a crack in the log on which the lion is standing. A very nice and unusual piece which would make for a good conversation. A very well-made hand carved piece of folk art to add to your collection. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Unknown, but most likely early to mid 1900s (20th century).
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The piece was most likely continental.
Size: The lion itself is ~2 1/2" long, ~2 1/4" high, and ~1" at its widest. The base is ~~3 1/8" in diameter and is ~ 3/4" high. The piece weighs about 3 ounces.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Unmarked.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: Truly a nice and very unusual piece carved based on a famous fable by Aesop, which would make a worthy addition to your collection.
Condition: The carving is in relatively good condition, with no losses or repairs. It does have minor scratches and a crack in center of the log on which the lion is standing, which does not go completely through. The felt on the bottom of the base has some losses and is missing in the center where the screw securing the piece to the base is located. The piece moves slightly back and forth on the base, but does not move all the way around and does not unscrew itself. Be that as it may, this is a very interesting and rather unusual carving based on the famous Aesop Fable, which would make a great addition to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
Date: Unknown, but most likely early to mid 1900s (20th century).
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The piece was most likely continental.
Size: The lion itself is ~2 1/2" long, ~2 1/4" high, and ~1" at its widest. The base is ~~3 1/8" in diameter and is ~ 3/4" high. The piece weighs about 3 ounces.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Unmarked.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: Truly a nice and very unusual piece carved based on a famous fable by Aesop, which would make a worthy addition to your collection.
Condition: The carving is in relatively good condition, with no losses or repairs. It does have minor scratches and a crack in center of the log on which the lion is standing, which does not go completely through. The felt on the bottom of the base has some losses and is missing in the center where the screw securing the piece to the base is located. The piece moves slightly back and forth on the base, but does not move all the way around and does not unscrew itself. Be that as it may, this is a very interesting and rather unusual carving based on the famous Aesop Fable, which would make a great addition to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
