Mysterious and Very Wonderful Small Metal Cutouts, Presumed 19th Century French (Copy) linen gauze and a structure built into

and a structure built into the side of the bank at left

but also perhaps the perfect Christmas tree topper

the knobs on the drawers and mirrors are carved too

but also precursing everything from SNL to Ali G and so much more

and once one has done so

Mysterious and Very Wonderful Small Metal Cutouts, Presumed 19th Century French (Copy) linen gauze and a structure built intoThese are completely wonderful, but I do not know their original purpose. Perhaps they were votive offerings? I found an image of a pair of French embroidery scissors c. 1850s with one handle very similar in silhouette to the man here, down to his extended hand. And of course the dainty crossed feet of the marvelously silhouetted woman remind me very much of antique machinist made ladies legs calipers. They all feel a bit as if miniature templates for