Puzzling Old Interlocking Whimsy Carving antique dog photographs Based on other tramp art

Based on other tramp art boxes in this sort of style that I've seen

though I find it hard to think that anyone wearing such a fabulously bold yellow vest wouldn't have a fun-loving and adventuresome nature just waiting to bust out

and her black hair (and blue eyes

composed by joining halves of two different woods

Puzzling Old Interlocking Whimsy Carving antique dog photographs Based on other tramp artI've been living with this one awhile so as to enjoy it and puzzle over it! before parting with it. My pondering was on whether it is actually composed of two tightly interlocking pieces of wood or was just incised on the surface to give that illusion but I've now learned that indeed this was a carpenter's trick, and so this a carpenter's whimsy. I love it as a very satisfying physical object (there is absolutely no wiggle between those two pieces;