Antique Black and Gold Painted Lock Shaped Ball in Cage Carved Whimsy letter knife 13 1/2" x 10 3/8"

13 1/2" x 10 3/8" in good condition

became popular in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279)

There are a series of X's carved lightly into the exterior near the top on one side

A little paint loss and stains here and there

This is a relatively small one: 6 3/4" x 4 3/4"

Antique Black and Gold Painted Lock Shaped Ball in Cage Carved Whimsy letter knife 13 1/2" x 10 3/8"A great old one, and an unusual one for the old black and mellow gold paint on it, with painted designs, including several X's, giving it a bit of a mystical feel, as if it once dangled at the end of a chain used in secret ceremonies who knows?! Nicely carved with a very round ball in the cage and a great old alligatored surface now. Good for hanging from a nail on the wall, setting somewhere, or wearing around one's neck as a dramatic pendant! 5 3 8"