Since there is no match holder on this one, it's not certain it was carved for a pipe smoker or cheroot/cigar smoker, though most of those are carved in this form: barrel as the holder. Equally fun if used as a small flower pot or with inner cup with a plant. Of course the carved animal is our focal point and it looks more like a Terrier Spaniel dog than a fox (to me). Dogs are more rare than most animals among the antique Swiss Black Forest sculptures. Entirely hand-carved, and full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Shown from all sides, Surprisingly free of chips or cracks or hairlines. The bucket or barrel has one handle, doesn't appear there was another = more the kind of bucket mount often nailed to a wall or hung on a hook to feed grain to horses. Carved from a single block of wood, likely dates c.1880-1915, unsigned.
