Old Cigar Box-Carved Folk Art Squeeze Toy Acrobat pattern dominoes and the cutouts forming heart

and the cutouts forming heart patterns at the center of the handle

The box measures 2" long x 1

This exceptional example features a roughly alternating series figures and elk or deer on both exterior and interior--typically with the animals on the lower half of the basket and the figures (with one arm raised and appearing to sport antlers) above them

and especially love those shaped like little shoes

It is signed as well

Old Cigar Box-Carved Folk Art Squeeze Toy Acrobat pattern dominoes and the cutouts forming heartI've got a weakness for these old acrobat squeeze toy, the folkier the better. This sweet, relatively humble one was made from cigar box wood I believe. I especially love the zig zag silhouette of the head. All arms and legs are well attached via wire pins, with the string threaded through two holes in his hands. 10 1 2" x 2 3 4" x 1" overall. Figure measures 4 1 2" tall. Nice warm dry wood patina.