Beautifully Carved Antique Hanging Ball in Cage Whimsy (Letter Opener?) seashore with a little wear/aging visible

with a little wear/aging visible on the face and belly

and were kept inside the house to provide protective spirits for the home

invented in the late 19th century

and nice large plugs at the bottom

Beautifully Carved Antique Hanging Ball in Cage Whimsy (Letter Opener?) seashore with a little wear/aging visibleI've just listed a bunch of whimsies all from one source; this one is different. I found it in New Hampshire and believe it walnut, super finely done and I believe antique. It's a bit of a curious one, too, with tapering end, which suggests use as a letter opener or page turner? And a hanging loop at the other end, which I suppose would allow one to hang it around one's neck, though I'd likely hang it from a nail on the wall instead. Really lovely. 9