Carved, Signed Antler Mushroom! chop Photos do not do justice

Photos do not do justice to the gorgeous warm sheen on this antique splint basket

I think this enhances its specialness

the bird/butterfly at the center of the smaller

in order that they fit into the smaller-scale ice boxes of the day--and they remain handy still

Carved, Signed Antler Mushroom! chop Photos do not do justiceThis mushroom! When I first spotted it, I thought it was ceramic, but closer inspection reveals it is definitely bone, and I am pretty certain antler, most likely Caribou I think. I really love it as an object exactly the scale of a real mushroom, and just what it is, beautifully executed, no fuss. I've found a few other carved antler mushrooms, almost all Canadian (morels carved from deer antler seem to be a bit of a thing), but none as lovely as