Bear Chasing Man Up Tree, Old Snapshot Photograph folk art shorebird with the letter and numbers

with the letter and numbers I assume referring to the bottle type (and there are more handwritten notations on the back side

6 1/4" in diameter x 5 1/4" t

to dive deep into

A little searching turns up that Italian marble pietra dura "specimen" rulers were a thing

the knobs on the drawers and mirrors are carved too

Bear Chasing Man Up Tree, Old Snapshot Photograph folk art shorebird with the letter and numbersIf you are like me, you see the bear first, and only after a few moments notice the foot at the end of a long leg just above it! Quite an amazing image, and a beautiful photograph formally, with the quality of a very fine scherenschnitte cut paper silhouette. And certainly an apt metaphor for many a'thing. Early 20th century I believe and pretty amazing I think. 5 5 8 x 3 1 2 and in very good condition.