19th Century Miniature Carved Boot Shaped Box landmanden leve I've been thinking a lot

I've been thinking a lot about this phone--as singular object and symbol--since I found it a couple of weeks ago at a show in New Hampshire

though with the face in better condition) was German made by the company Oculus

Lots of wear and rusting

Photos don't quite do justice to this really wonderful carved dog

Latch on front of the box closes and holds well

19th Century Miniature Carved Boot Shaped Box landmanden leve I've been thinking a lotI took this for an antique carved snuff box boot, but when I got it home and opened it up, realized it was made as a trick box, with what looks to have been a snake inside that would pop its head up when one slid the lid open. Sadly, both ends of the snake were broken at some point; the remaining fragment remains, held by pins inside that attach to either side of the boot. Sad that it is lost, but a great little carved boot still, 19th c. and