Little Brass Squirrel with Nut Pipe Tamper (?) folk art couple founded in 1894

founded in 1894

produced in the 1940s by the Halsam Company

I have stashed them

3 15/16" x 4 1/16" x 15/16" deep and in great antique condition

and through the box shows plenty of wear

Little Brass Squirrel with Nut Pipe Tamper (?) folk art couple founded in 1894I've had this squirrel for a while, found at at estate sale at some point, and have always loved it as a little thing, holding a nut in its little hands, and with long flat tale as a handle. I'd think it a pipe tamper, but usually the tamping end would be more extended, so perhaps it was meant to press a wax seal, but was never engraved with a stamp? In any case, a sweet little thing, which stands on its own and can be moved around by the tail. 2 1 2"