Curious Small (and Large!) Carved Male Nude novelty box perhaps for stashing one's passport

perhaps for stashing one's passport and plane tickets

The second of two monkeys this week

of course it the legacy of its onetime owner Charles Wilet that makes me love it

I sure appreciate the love and labor and detail he put into these small wooden structures

which I have seen published as postcards and also featured in a book

Curious Small (and Large!) Carved Male Nude novelty box perhaps for stashing one's passportA curious little carving, which I purchased from a favorite dealer at Rhinebeck, and which surely was meant to be erotic. I have no idea his origins, but he's got some age for sure, and I really love his reclining position, and the way his hands are placed in "Venus Pudica" position, calling even more attention to his sex but in a wonderfully "feminine" way. 3 7 8" l x 1 1 2" w x 1" t and in great condition.