Carved Folk Art Uncle Sam Letter Opener with Polychrome carve beaver and swimming pools inside

and swimming pools inside

which has three nice little feet

and also about how a thing (like a wooden block) placed in relationship to another thing (like a wooden sphere) elucidates both while also opening possibilities for what one might do with them

of which these are emblematic

I've included another example of Kuniyoshi's work at the end of photos--that one from a portfolio of Samurai prints sold through Sotheby's

Carved Folk Art Uncle Sam Letter Opener with Polychrome carve beaver and swimming pools insideJust in time for tax season, a little carved Uncle Same letter opener, ideally suited for opening a refund check (but only for members of the working class!) Naively carved, in good original paint, and looking as if he's taken a few knocks to the end of his nose, which seems right and true. 4 15 16" x 1 1 8". Early 20th c. I believe, nice wear, nice color.