A Very Special Mystery Artifact

This week's mystery artifact is chosen with our director, Barb Oelschlaeger-Garvey, in mind!  This particular artifact comes from my personal collection and is a family heirloom.  It also has a special connection to this time of year for me and mine.  It is made of a single piece of wood (walnut, perhaps?) with images carved on to both sides.  Here is the first side (note the amazing carving of a dragon chasing his tail in the lower right!):

 And here is the other side:

With the notable exception of the dragon, the carved images are mostly animals, plants, or other pastoral-themed pictures.

Beginning this week, we will have a display to feature each week's mystery artifact in the museum lobby/stairwell area, near the doors to the education wing.  This will allow you to take a close look at the artifact in question before making your guess!  So - now that the roads are clear! - came take a look and then make your best guess in the comments below or on Facebook!

(By the way, please excuse our construction dust and debris when you come in - there are big changes in the works here at the Museum!  I will post a blog on what you can expect to see happening over the next few years, as we change out our Prairie Stories exhibit with a new and exciting exhibit!)

    --- Valerie