19th Century Folk Art Yarn Winder Whimsy in Blown Glass Bottle wooden letter with minor toning and light

with minor toning and light edge wear

as this one very much is--with the shoe

The box measures 6" long x 3 1/4" wide and each walnut measures 1 5/8"long x 1 3/8" wide x 5/8" tall

I would think he is likely meant to be a priest or monk

From an old estate in Cambridge

19th Century Folk Art Yarn Winder Whimsy in Blown Glass Bottle wooden letter with minor toning and lightI've had much fancier bottle whimsies, but I think the more humble (though still completely baffling to me!) yarn winder types are my favorite of all. This one is 19th century, with carved wooden stopper (walnut I think?), held forever in place by a cross bar just below the neck. With two "yarn winders" inside, held to the central post one horizontal, one vertical, both wound with yellow and white yarn with the post standing on four arched feet. The