Civil War "Ball in Cage" wood carving, POW (SOLD)

This is an interesting piece I am offering that was once part of a larger Civil War collection. It is sometimes called “A ball in a cage”. It measures 4 ½” x 1” x 1” and is carved from a single piece of wood. It was probably whittled by a soldier or even a POW to pass the time.

Whittling did not become a prevalent hobby in the United States until the Civil War began when soldiers with skilled hands and idle hours whittled to pass the time. It became a popular diversion that enlisted men, commanding officers, and even General Ulysses S. Grant partook. Most soldiers carried folding pocket knives and in turn became proficient whittlers. They turned wood into walking sticks, figurines, sculptures, smoking pipes, fans, whistles, and ball in cages. After the war many of the veterans continued their leisure pursuit.

This unique piece shows its age but still remains solid and the ball floats back and forth. There is a little bit of old white paint on one corner. In the “Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia”, by Francis Lord, there is a similar piece which belonged to a Civil War officer (see pictures). Also, I go into more detail about this practice in my recent book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”.