Old Straw Stuffed Much Loved Handmade Cat wood puppet head I'm pretty certain this is

I'm pretty certain this is a 20th century piece made for the tourist trade

and that apart from a brief period of study at the Evening School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Ireland) has an impact that far surpasses its 5 and a half inch stature

6 7/8" x 6 1/2" x 1 7/8" and in very good antique condition

Old Straw Stuffed Much Loved Handmade Cat wood puppet head I'm pretty certain this isWhat a face! And what a lot of love this cat has seen (and given, I think!), with reinforcement stitches all the way around the neck and on the tail too, and it looks to me likely loosing its button eyes along the way, but of course I think all the more charming for the wear. With a hand drawn heart shaped nose and mouth and dots for whiskers in what is not a pinkish red, and stuffed full with straw that surely is well over 100 years old. He's