1891 Signed Spencerian Pen and Ink Drawing of Two Birds charm necklace The paint job on this

The paint job on this old dog pull toy won me over

It was purchased from an estate in Waban

8 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 1/3" and in great vintage condition

7 3/4" widest diameter

There is a bit of a tendency of round boxes like this to warp as the wood expands and contracts

1891 Signed Spencerian Pen and Ink Drawing of Two Birds charm necklace The paint job on thisIt is hard to imagine a time when people learned how to make calligraphic drawings like this as a matter of course; just amazing. Originally used as an exercise to train students to perfect their handwriting, "Spencerian" steel pen drawings provided an diversion from the more repetitive practice of writing alphabets. Calligraphic drawing also gave the accomplished scribe a means of showing his or her ability and gave penmanship masters a way to