Five Interlocking Rings, Satisfying Old Hand Carved Whimsy man and sheep With a wonderful little bee/wasp

With a wonderful little bee/wasp buzzing around too

it was in the 1830s that the Common School movement took hold

I love Schoenhut Circus props--those classic white chairs

Smaller knife: 4 3/4" l

I don't come across a pass or identification card with a photo this old very often

Five Interlocking Rings, Satisfying Old Hand Carved Whimsy man and sheep With a wonderful little bee/waspThe not quite roundness of the interlocking rings here, each uniquely irregular, is what makes this whimsy for me the hand and humanity of its carver feeling very present. An easy sort of whimsy to overlook, but for me at least really quite a satisfying thing, and and a nice fiddle toy of sorts too to have sitting around, too. Each ring about 1 3 4" d; overall variable, approx 2 1 2" x 2 1 2". Very good condition, with some nice age to it, I'd guess