"Goettelbriefe" baptismal vows dated 1831, in a fruitwood fr - Lot 34

"Goettelbriefe" baptismal vows dated 1831, in a fruitwood frame H 17 x W 17.5 cm Weathered Dating back to the 16th century, the custom of presenting godchildren with a christening letter enabled them to remember the importance of the ceremony. Often folded like a small pouch or letter, godparents - although the prefix "Goettel" refers only to the latter - would deposit a medal or silver coin, which the godchild would then treasure for the rest of his or her life, never entering the accounts of inheritance in a notarial or testamentary division. They are the work of village artists or small municipal officials skilled with brush and pen, drawing their inspiration from nature, almanacs, prayer books and Alsatian polychrome furniture. Many bear traces of stitching on the outlines of the motifs. In fact, when an illustration was to be reproduced in several copies, the sheets of paper were superimposed and the original was stitched to obtain the initial dotted design.