Deconstructed (or Partially Carved) Wooden Whimsy Chain horsehair paint brush 1918--and there is another showcasing

1918--and there is another showcasing  Roman ornament

I think these only add to its appeal

These were awarded to a young "Master Charley Geoppinger" in the late 1870s or so by a couple of different teachers - two of them for a hundred merits

It measures 4" long x 3/4" wide x 1 1/4" tall

15 3/8" tall x 9 3/4" wide x 1/4" deep

Deconstructed (or Partially Carved) Wooden Whimsy Chain horsehair paint brush 1918--and there is another showcasingMy guess is that this is a carved whimsy chain abandoned mid way through, but I like to think of it as a deconstruction of the carving process, showing the progression from beginning to final carving in an almost diagrammatic manner, complete with pencil drawn outlines on the uncarved end, and increasingly fine links at the other. A pretty cool object in any case I think, and a fun one to wave around! Great condition, with a nice warm patina. 9" l x