Very Old Carved Monk (?) Holding Ball (World?) in Big Hands! black lock I’ve since learned that a

I’ve since learned that a hydrometer is used for measuring the relative density of liquids based on buoyancy: you pour liquid into a container

The Caplans went on to a series of collaborations with MoMA

and Russia

but I can't find a mark anywhere so have to assume it is silver plate

and could be put to all sorts of creative and pragmatic uses

Very Old Carved Monk (?) Holding Ball (World?) in Big Hands! black lock I’ve since learned that aThe seller I purchased this carving from thought the figure was a (bald) old woman, but I might think it's a robed monk (?), and that perhaps the large ball in his large hands is a metaphor for the world? Really I have no idea! I do know for sure that it is very old, and quite evocative I think, with this wonderfully expressive, curious round face and these great big hands out front. I think perhaps it was once painted, with the wood now showing