Antique Treen 19thc Turned Fruitwood Life Preserver / Protector.

A very tactile and collectable 19thc Fruitwood "life preserver" or "protector"....it is nicely turned and has deep incised ring decoration....the end of the preserver has been filled with lead...so it is a weighty item and would certainly do its job if needed...excellent colour to the wood and the brass mount that the leather is attached looks to be an old re-used thimble hollowed out....an ingenious use....the leather is in good order.

English. C1840-60.