Little Brass Squirrel with Nut Pipe Tamper (?) painted bisque doll The handle is carved black

The handle is  carved black horn

with a truly fantastic patina to the dry pine

There is one patch of irregularity to the stain

and based on the patterns I think possibly Hopi

Little Brass Squirrel with Nut Pipe Tamper (?) painted bisque doll The handle is carved blackI've had this squirrel for a while, found at at estate sale at some point, and have always loved it as a little thing, holding a nut in its little hands, and with long flat tale as a handle. I'd think it a pipe tamper, but usually the tamping end would be more extended, so perhaps it was meant to press a wax seal, but was never engraved with a stamp? In any case, a sweet little thing, which stands on its own and can be moved around by the tail. 2 1 2"