Wonderfully Aged Old Jointed Folk Art Animal handmade primitive brush that it is a “Shutter

that it is a “Shutter dog”— made to hold a shutter open (“dog” being an Old English term for fastener)

While it is almost concealed

and framed in an old black-painted wood frame

and then this wonderful cast of characters spilling from the doors of the church

Much better in person--photos don't give a great sense of the warmth of patina on her wooden head especially

Wonderfully Aged Old Jointed Folk Art Animal handmade primitive brush that it is a “ShutterThe manner of carving and jointed construction (and the traces of painted decoration) on this guy makes me think of folk art animals from Oaxaca, Mexico, but if so this is clearly quite an old one, and really a special one whatever the case. Three of his legs move as well as his tail, while one front leg stays in place with an old extra nail added there at some point. Wonderfully aged, fabulous face which reminds me a bit of a squirrel, but I really