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

While designed for storing chewing betel

My guess is that I'll find out after I've sold them that their maker is quite well known

is made of carved water buffalo horn

very well worn and chipped at this point

Over these years and distances he has seen some things

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