Antique Primitive Wooden Knife Tray with Handle hoodoo (The tail and the ears

(The tail and the ears make me believe it is a bear

which might be the age of these

plus terrific black and white text illustrations by W

They are stamped Philippines on the bottom

Antique Primitive Wooden Knife Tray with Handle hoodoo (The tail and the earsI've become a huge fan of old primitive knife trays like this one, which I think have just a terrific form, and are also pretty handy! Originally used for holding cutlery, they're also great on the counter for sorting mail, in the studio for pens and pencils, or as catchalls for all sorts of odds and ends. This varnished one, which I believe dates to the mid to late 19th century, is wonderfully worn with a fantastic reddish brown patina and a great