Rare Antique Black Americana Tin Toy Porter Pushing Wheelbarrow handprinted kokeshi While designed for storing chewing

While designed for storing chewing betel

from whatever materials they had at hand--but my guess is that this small lidded box is an example

Over these years and distances he has seen some things

but good condition overall and not as fragile as they appear

Rare Antique Black Americana Tin Toy Porter Pushing Wheelbarrow handprinted kokeshi While designed for storing chewingThis very old Black Americana tin toy is pretty distressed, which makes it all the more beautiful to me. I have found a few versions, of both black and white figures, pushing wheelbarrows; the closest I've found (and which I'd guess this in fact is) was made by Ferdinand Strauss, NYC, c. 1910s, with a wind up key on the side of the wheelbarrow which would make it move. That key is long gone, as are the wheels on the wheelbarrow, and the cap on his