FOLK ART, 19th century - Lot 304

FOLK ART, 19th century Baptismal greeting card known as a "Goettelbrief" Framed under glass Dated 1817 H 19.5 x W 19.5 cm Folds Dating back to the 16th century, the custom of presenting godchildren with a baptismal letter allowed them to remember the significance of the ceremony. Often folded like a small envelope or a letter—though the prefix “Goettel” refers only to the godmother, would place a medal or a silver coin inside, which the godchild would then treasure throughout his or her life—never to be included in the estate’s assets during a notarized or testamentary division. They are the work of village artists or minor municipal officials skilled in handling a brush and pen, drawing their inspiration from nature, almanacs, prayer books, and polychrome Alsatian furniture. Many bear traces of pricks along the outlines of the motifs. In fact, when one wished to reproduce an illustration in multiple copies, the sheets of paper were stacked on top of one another, and the original was pricked to produce the initial dotted-line drawing.