Early 20th C Lock Shaped Hanging Match Safe with Carved Hand wooden tops betel chewing was central to

betel chewing was central to social interaction

with an elongated beak perfectly balanced with the elongated body pointed in the other direction

Light all over craquelure to the paint

this is really a wonderful

Early 20th C Lock Shaped Hanging Match Safe with Carved Hand wooden tops betel chewing was central toPhotos dont do justice to this one, as the carved hand cupping and fingers curling around the bowl of the match safe has a really wonderful three dimensional sculptural presence. The lock shaped mount to which it is attached seems to me a subtle pun on the safe in match safe, with the arch of it also providing an excellent means for hanging from the wall. Lovely. 7 5 8 x 5 1 2 x 1 3 4 d. Very good overall condition with what I believe is a repaired