Profusely Carved Wonderful Antique Wooden Toy Slingshot piggy gilts At one end of the

At one end of the carved closed fist appears to be a small inlaid bit of something

typically monochromatic and most often depicting Hudson River landscapes

which makes me think it might be a Japanese Natsuke (an ornamental togglelike piece used to attach a box

8" tall x 3 7/8" wide x 1 7/8" d

The quite depressing lyrics tell the story of a man and his hound Jim

Profusely Carved Wonderful Antique Wooden Toy Slingshot piggy gilts At one end of theTheres barely a centimeter of this antique toy slingshot that wasnt decorated with hand carved designs: leafy vines all over, a few other flourishes, a four pointed star cross on the end, and what look to be the initials SM, or maybe WS, the style of which make me think 19th century for sure. Beautiful wood grain, nicely carved niches for the sling, terrific patina, just a fabulous little thing completely usable still should one want to grab a rubber