I do know that having a knick-knack shelf full of items like this was extremely popular during war time up until the late 50's. Giving small items as gifts during a hard pressed economy was a big deal and these items were proudly displayed.
Okay this is funny...searched history of knickknack shelf and this came up...anyone remember this? My hubs and I started singing this and now it is stuck in my head! LOL
This old man, he played one,
He played knick-knack on my thumb;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played two,
He played knick-knack on my shoe;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played three,
He played knick-knack on my knee;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.