Wonderful Large Much Handled Folk Art Carved Stone Book (Presumed Match Striker, Too) antique hairwork and a marvelous interplay of

and a marvelous interplay of dark silk and handmade black lace for her dress

that she dates to the early 19th century or so--which is also when ringlets like hers very in vogue

pencil or brush holder if not as a spoon rest

the two with fishing poles perched on what appears to be the stone wall of a pond

Wonderful Large Much Handled Folk Art Carved Stone Book (Presumed Match Striker, Too) antique hairwork and a marvelous interplay ofThis is one of my favorite objects I've had in the shop, and one I'd be especially glad to keep for myself. Photos don't convey scale, or weight in the hand, or presence, especially, very well, but in all regards I'd say it is 100% perfect larger and more substantial than any stone carved book I've seen, but just the right size to wrap a hand around and hold, as may hands have clearly done before, softening any hard angles over many many years. I