Sweet Little Antique Carved Acorn Finial in Gold and Black travel kit with a 1873 patent date

with a 1873 patent date

I really like the wear on this one

then painted them silver and red

On this one orange paper was used on one side and blue on the other--folded

Sweet Little Antique Carved Acorn Finial in Gold and Black travel kit with a 1873 patent dateI'm not sure what this smallish carved acorn finial once topped, but I love it just as a sculptural little carving, all the better for the old gold and black paint on it. Found in New Hampshire, I believe it is American, and I'd guess late 19th c. The recess at the very center of the top does not appear to be a hole, just a recess, but it does seem to invite piercing it should one wish to, say, fly a little flag on top. 4" t x 2" wide and deep and in