Sweet Old Primitive Straw Brush / Miniature Broom with Iron Wire and Nail hand-painted wooden snake The hinges remain attached

The hinges remain attached

This charming papier-mâché sculpture of Asian girl and lion-dog I believe is mid-century Japanese

There looks to be one old repair to the lid in one spot

The wood is in terrific shape

a "titan of real  estate in Boston for six decades" who

Sweet Old Primitive Straw Brush / Miniature Broom with Iron Wire and Nail hand-painted wooden snake The hinges remain attachedThis reads to me rather like a salesman sample for a full scale handmade straw broom, but I assume it was made as a small utilitarian scrub brush. The brush is fine straw, wrapped in iron wire, with an old iron nail on either side. The handle is wood, which feels hand carved, with a rounded end and a great dry patina. A satisfying and to my eye quite beautiful small thing. 8 1 8 t x 2 5 16 diameter at widest bristles. Good and sturdy condition, with a