Q-I’m in the midst of renovating my first old house. The staircase leading to the second floor has an oak handrail with spindles and a curlicue thing on top of the post at the bottom of the stairs.

Q. This statue has been watching my kids run up and down stairs for more than 50 years. We would like to know more about it. I have tried the Internet, but without much luck. A. Despite all the hype ...