It's so much fun to collect the work of folk artists. Mary Walborn is one I am trying to learn about. I'm always so excited when I find a piece by her.  I know it will be a standout! Because her work is so deliciously sweet and often hearkens back to earlier forms of folk art of the 19th century, particularly as practiced in Pennsylvania. It appears she was very active in the 1970s and 1980s. This deliciously ancient-looking large metal (tole) mold is nonpareil in the items I have seen so far. The style of painting looks like that you would see on a centuried trunk from Lancaster County.  Those rich tonalities of time! The decorative painting is absolutely lovely.  It is signed by Mary Walborn on the bottom and dated 1972. It's always such a treat to come upon a rare item by this artist in central Pennsylvania. She always had such interesting designs, often different from the others, like little miniature wooden houses (with removable roofs) with gorgeous painting on them. And this one is just wonderful, so playful and like something out of a German fairy tale! I see this artist's works included on premium sites like Worthpoint and Live Auctioneers. Her whirligigs are just stellar, worthy of inclusion in books on American folk art.  Those paying attention have probably noticed that the market for folk art is booming in America. Our own homegrown naive artists are finally getting their due and being recognized by many of America's most venerable institutions as witnessed by all the shows including or focusing exclusively on this type of art.  This lovely piece measures approximately 16 inches in length by 8 inches in width. It would look lovely hanging on the wall (or in a museum of American folk arts/decorative arts if you happen to be a savvy curator).