Carved Otter by Richard Tompkins, Nova Scotia cast copper brooch and with many good years

and with many good years ahead

It appears that one can take the whole thing apart (if for example one just wanted to wear the handshake pin around)

Since falling in love with a large trivet made of matchsticks at an estate sale in Kansas City

Based on similar examples I have seen

This piece thus makes perfect sense

Carved Otter by Richard Tompkins, Nova Scotia cast copper brooch and with many good yearsThis lovely otter is by Richard Thompkins (1930 1995), a renowned Nova Scotia based Canadian carver who became known in the 1960s for his sleek, highly finished carved animals, especially his otters like this one. I believe it is carved of Butternut, finished with linseed oil and lacquer. I love that it feels super mid century but also very much product of singular sensibility. Signed Richard N. S. on the underside of the belly. 7 1 2 long x 3 1 4