A Gift of Affection, Victorian Paper Lace and Die Cut Valentine with Excellent Color and Faces early 20th century art and playing cards

and playing cards

and I believe very old

Hand-carved of earthenware and finished with enamel glaze over white slip

with nice aging to the paint and a wonderful presence

and lacquered with tree resin

A Gift of Affection, Victorian Paper Lace and Die Cut Valentine with Excellent Color and Faces early 20th century art and playing cardsA handful of Victorian paper lace valentines today, because 'tis almost the season, and what a lovely thing to give to a beloved, including oneself. I'm fussy about ones I like, choosing these several from more than a hundred 19th c. examples I had the joy of perusing last weekend which had been collected over many years by a major Maine based paper dealer, whose collection was not long ago acquired by another Maine dealer and friend. And I must say