Carved Squirrel Nutcrackers Plier Type Brienz or Black Forest Antique Walnut

A rare pair of antique, plier type, carved walnut nutcrackers depicting a squirrel sat on his haunches eating an acorn which he is clutching between his front paws. This squirrel has finely and naturalistically hand carved features including his large brush tail, cute face and fur, he also has small inset black glass eyes. 

These carved wooden items are often called Black Forest and are attributed to Germany however, we think that this is Swiss, late nineteenth century to early 20th Century, (circa 1900) from Brienz, a small village in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region.

He is in very good antique condition, with a small loss to the tip of his right ear. He probably lost the tip whilst fighting with another squirrel over some nuts! No other damage or restoration, in otherwise great original and very usable condition and with a lovely patina.

Free international postage with this item.

Length 9 inches ( 23 cm)
Width 2 inches (5 cm)
Height 4.5 inches (11.5 cm)
Weight 175 grammes unpacked