Big Old Folk Art Carved Pink Rat! Oisin Kelly Earlyish 19th century I believe

Earlyish 19th century I believe

6 7/8" t x 2 4/5" w x 1 2/4" and in very good condition

with light wear and a few light center folds

but it is a little hard to tell

and the sides of the block are carved with four different images: a heart

Big Old Folk Art Carved Pink Rat! Oisin Kelly Earlyish 19th century I believeA great one! The carving of this pink polychromed, wooden rat reminds me a lot of old carved folk art ice fishing decoys, just absent lead weights on the underside of its paws or belly. What a face, what a tail, and who doesn't need an 8 inch long pink rat to set somewhere, feeling like a pet but happily to my mind at least not an animate one. With wonderfully carved ears, nailed on painted disks (sequins?) for eyes, and what appears to be fishing