Sensitive Old Low Relief Carving of World Wise Looking Woman French drawing I'm more or less certain

I'm more or less certain the set is 19th century German

which is about the right size to hold a rolled up note to self for safekeeping

Perfectly worn

with the balls in their cages flipping from one side to the other as it goes

Wijk aan Zee and Zandvoort

Sensitive Old Low Relief Carving of World Wise Looking Woman French drawing I'm more or less certainI read this figure as a woman, and what first came to my mind when I saw it was Willa Cather's My Antonia, or perhaps a character from Steinbeck, persevering with grace and determination through one trial after another. She looks a bit weary for sure, but to me like quite a force, and I find this carving beautifully tender and nuanced and honest of the sort that might offer a feeling of kinship when things feel pretty tough! 6 13 16" x 5 1 8" x 7 8"