Chalkware String Holder

Here's a fun little thing I got at the auction last week!

This little chef holds a ball of twine and it is neatly

distributed out a hole in his mouth.  The earliest string

holders, in the 1800's, were cast iron cages that were mounted

on general store and post office counters to tie up packages.

In the early 1900's they became more decorative and common

in households, too.  They were made of chalk, or plaster, so

they usually have some wear on them if you find one today.

This one is from about 1945.

He will probably end up in my etsy shop, eventually.

But for now, I'm enjoying him hanging on my pantry door.

He kind of looks like he's eating spaghetti, doesn't he?

♥