Beautiful, Satisfying Mid 19th C. Solid Iron Blacksmith's/Jeweler's Anvil educational play but would guess there were

but would guess there were not too many of them made

which measures 4 1/2 inches in diameter and 3 3/4 inches tall

One of the things I really love about carved wooden whimsies is their infinite variety

Beautifully worn and aged

Beautiful, Satisfying Mid 19th C. Solid Iron Blacksmith's/Jeweler's Anvil educational play but would guess there wereMy knowledge of tools is limited, but I believe this would have been used by a blacksmith doing fine work, or a jeweler, and I guess the pair of wonderfully snake like recessed forms at the top represent hooks or perhaps clasps that would have been forged on it. Lettering was pressed into the sides in the form of two "X"'s a bit hard to read, but I can make out something along the lines of Dasteel. I find it just a very satisfying and sculptural