This intricate cut paper/ scherenschnitte love token certainly shows it 200+ years (dated 1816 inside one of the hearts), but it is such a special one, which, happily, someone not too long ago took pains to stabilize and protect so that it might endure for many years to come. The aging of the blue paper from which it was cut is itself a very beautiful thing, and the sun/star at center especially so, but the greatest delights here come from closer looking: finely inked text running around the center of the wheel and around the far (zig zag cut) perimeter edge, and then, even smaller, inside each radial heart. And within those hearts often appear tiny drawings, best of all a watercolored bird on branch with what I take for a cloud (or perhaps a swarm of more, distant birds!) represented as a dense field of crosses. Elsewhere, the head of a tiny figure emerging from the bottom tip of a heart, framed by curlicue flourishes; a cheery bouquet of ink-drawn flowers; a sun with a face on it, and more. Plus intricate cut forms all around the hearts, including flowers of many sorts,  birds, and a galloping horse, watercolored dark blue. I get nowhere trying to translate the German, but presume the text to be delivering messages of love and good fortune, as would typically be the case. Of course I would love to see this in perfect condition, but for it to have endured at all is miraculous, and even in its partial state what an extraordinary example.

15 1/8" x 14 1/4" framed. Sight 10 3/4" x 11 5/8". Losses, toning, etc. all as evident. Clearly professionally framed relatively recently, with a dark blue mat visible at the corners behind the original pale blue paper mounted on cream paper work. Frame in very good condition, bright and crisp, and all now stable. Wired on the back for hanging.