Lovely Antique Double Sided Decorative Motif Carving "Sampler" Signed Upton the archer a human figure

a human figure

I'm always rather amazed by the colors of mallards to begin with

Maine) named after Frederick Robie

looking almost as if coated in tar

which a ribbon could be pulled through to hang it

Lovely Antique Double Sided Decorative Motif Carving "Sampler" Signed Upton the archer a human figureNeedlepoint samplers, darning samplers, penmanship samplers and carving samplers too! I presume this block of wood, with a variety of carved motifs on both sides, was made for practice, perhaps in advance of a specific project, though perhaps more just a showcase of skills. Better in hand and equally good on both sides I think, with a really nice warm dry patina to the wood. Signed (incised) UPTON along the top edge on one side. Early 20th century I