Antique Whale Bone Pointing Hand Pendant with Thread Hole antique birch box To me it feels akin

To me it feels akin to folk art clock faces used for teaching how to tell time (which I also always have an eye out for

1920s-30s I think

Frame shows a small loss to the veneer at lower right

from when ashtrays were considered design objects

as if just floating

Antique Whale Bone Pointing Hand Pendant with Thread Hole antique birch box To me it feels akin(First photo is a composite, showing both sides.) Carved as a pendant, but a ladies tool as well, with a small opening created by the wrapped fingers of the hand, large enough to run a thread or thin cord through, with the extended finger then useful for pulling that thread or cord through a seam or hole. Sailor whaler made I believe, of whalebone, 19th century. Quite a nice thing to wear around one's neck now. 1 7 8" long, very good antique