Impossibly Intricate Pair of 19th Century Pennsylvania Scherenschnittes: Weeping Willow and Flowering Urn antique painted shadow puppet with brass arm at center

with brass arm at center

the one with big heart exposed at the center of his chest

and clad in black and red paint

It is in great vintage condition with a lovely patina

with the older looking figuratively if not literally very much the mother to the younger

Impossibly Intricate Pair of 19th Century Pennsylvania Scherenschnittes: Weeping Willow and Flowering Urn antique painted shadow puppet with brass arm at centerI purchased these two from a dealer in Pennsylvania, which I believe is where they originated. Early mid 19th century I believe, and surely created as momento mori, perhaps as components of a larger piece. I can't even wrap my head around anyone could cut paper with this degree of fineness and precision; they're tiny! It looks to me that the weeping willow was all cut from one piece, while it seems there may be one or two adhered flowers on the urn