Large Jointed Wooden Jumping Jack Clown with Great Old Paint mottled I found this piece at

I found this piece at a fantastic antique shop in Hew Hampshire filled with extraordinary things

It opens and closes fine

A little digging reveals that "Fireside Studios"--the maker of these "practice boards--was a division of Fireside Industries

which points straight to tiny boat filled with sailors far on the horizon

but I love it even more knowing its origins and that its brown body

Large Jointed Wooden Jumping Jack Clown with Great Old Paint mottled I found this piece atOver time I've found a few of these late 19th early 20th century handmade clowns, with pull strings hanging down from the back which will raise arms and legs when tugged. Only the arms are still strung on this guy, but it's his terrific blue and red polka dotted paint job that immediately sold me, and this brown paint on the lower part of his face which could be a giant smile, or a beard, or ruffled clown collar. For me, just the right amount of