Wonderful Small Early Watercolor of Twins (?) with Branch and Tambourine in Hand carved revolver pencil or brush holder if

pencil or brush holder if not as a spoon rest

I've seen a few photos of antique wooden spheres held together with leather strips like this

incredibly tender and just the right amount of awkward to make it completely charming

Black ink on reverse

The darkening of the ground toward the top of the painting is also a bit unexpected

Wonderful Small Early Watercolor of Twins (?) with Branch and Tambourine in Hand carved revolver pencil or brush holder ifIt looks to the me like the hull of an upside down boat that these two are sitting upon, and I'd guess they are meant to represent the twins of Gemini, Castor and Pollux, who were also mythologically associated with St. Elmo's fire int heir role as the protectors of sailors. Janus was associated with sailing too, and with backs facing and arms overlapping, it looks as if these two could also be one! In any case, what a gem of a little watercolor, and