Charming and rare 19th century hand carved wooden figures, one male and one female, atop elongated box which is a needle case or holder with thread spool at base. The total height of each is 4" to 4.25" with incredible detail to the tiny figures. Sold together as a pair, the backpacks indicate they were door-to-door sellers of kitchen goods (tiny pans, etc), and they appear to be children, the sister 1/4" taller than the younger brother. Base is 1" in diameter.
Very good condition, age and type considered. I've marked a couple of imperfections. A tiny hand missing on the boy, same on girl, and a rim chip just below the girl. Still, very nicely preserved for such fragile old carvings, c. 1880-1910. Again, 2 needle cases sold together, just found in France.