Hand Carved 19th Century Folk Art Ball in Cage Whittled Whimsy

These three 19th century folk art carvings are each made from a single piece of wood and retain an absolutely untouched original surface. Measuring 5 inches tall and a hair under 3 inches wide, the large chalice whimsy is an incredibly intricate example of folk art carving because it features a superb ball in chain stem surounded by a free moving ring. A note accompanying folk art trio reads: "These two wooden goblets were made by W. J. Irwin when young." We were told that Mr. Irwin also made the footed salt dip, and because the patina and surface color of the salt dip match the chalices exactly, we have no reason to balk at this contention. We were also told that the Irwins emigrated to the United States from Germany in the mid 19th century and settled in Cincinnati. W. J. Irwin's sister graduated from school in 1888, and this gives us rason to believe that these antique carvings date to the last half of the 19th century.