Sculptural Old Wire Calf Weaner vintage italian though there are also the

though there are also the initials HL in pencil at lower left

with some age on it I believe

Another pretty brush

it screws closed easily and stays tight

Sculptural Old Wire Calf Weaner vintage italian though there are also theThis would have been used as a muzzle for weaning calves, and one can still rather feel the presence of a calf wearing it but what an evocative thing now in its absence. The hand done wire construction reads like a line drawing in space, while casting terrific shadows, and I especially like that it can be configured and displayed in a variety of ways, like a mask or a basket, with ears out or folded in, the latter creating the appearance of eyes. 12 5