Old Oil on Cardboard Painting of Single Funnel Steam Ship squeeze toy with 4 holes evenly spaced

with 4 holes evenly spaced around the top perimeter

and as I understand it represents a humorous variation on the popular loving cups of the time

While I’d like to imagine the maker of the vessel had Magritte’s famous painting “The Treachery of Images” in mind

It reminds me a bit of the (much larger and bronze)) sculptures of Marino Marini

) I like this one especially for its subtlety and mutability: it feels serene in a white or neutral space

Old Oil on Cardboard Painting of Single Funnel Steam Ship squeeze toy with 4 holes evenly spacedI don't know a lot about boats, but I have developed quite a fondness for old paintings of them, and I really love the warmth and folkiness of this one. The single funnel steam ship itself fairly closely resembles the CSS Acadia, built in England during the first decade of the 20th century, and used to survey Canada's northern waters. I am not sure this boat is that, but do think it is likely earlyish 20th century British, and believe the blue flag