19th Century Sailor Made Carved Hand Finial (Likely for Wax Seal Stamp) wallpaper box like traditional Javanese shadow theatre

like traditional Javanese shadow theatre puppets

and deep rose paint over the cheeks and mouth

Signed on the backside left corner

though it appears to have been a pretty contemporary one--though Lucy's version takes some license (in the placement of the label for Nigretia

the face cards

19th Century Sailor Made Carved Hand Finial (Likely for Wax Seal Stamp) wallpaper box like traditional Javanese shadow theatreWith threaded end, this hand would have been carved as the handle for a wax seal, I believe, or possibly a pointer. The form of a clenched fist was a fairly common one for sailor whaler carved finials, whether made as handles for seals or, larger, for canes. Found along with the scrimshawed ruler and busk fragment listed separately, and I think just a wonder of a little thing. C. Mid 19th century. 1 5 8" l x 5 8" x 3 8". There is an imperfection