19th Century Miniature Carved Boot Shaped Box antique kindergarten exercise which a mix of gold

which a mix of gold

for filling with rocks or shells

or perhaps could be put to use in a new way

with a beautiful if somewhat inexplicable large red spot on his back and looking so elegant with those elongated legs

(Each side 11 3/16 x 8 1/2")

19th Century Miniature Carved Boot Shaped Box antique kindergarten exercise which a mix of goldI 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