Charmer of a Old Folk Art Box with Carved Cat on Top and Figures at Corners sculptural bottle which makes the blocks look

which makes the blocks look very much like a checkerboard when arranged that way

really one of my favorite things I've found

Other than her chipped paw

and the paint on it too--really quite an elegant structure in its way

maybe forever preserved in the moment just before she actually cracks a smile

Charmer of a Old Folk Art Box with Carved Cat on Top and Figures at Corners sculptural bottle which makes the blocks lookThe cat (lioness?) carved atop this box sold me on it at once, then I noticed the carved figural columns at the front corners icing on top! (or icing on the corners, as the case may be!) As folky as it gets, total delight. Looks like there was once an escutcheon plate over the keyhole at front, long gone, as is the key that might have locked it, but seems this lounging feline is poised to pounce on an intruder as needed! American, c. 1920s 40s I would