German Hand-painted Wooden Cutout Couple in Traditional Costumes tabletop boat While the naturally dyed color

While the naturally dyed color has certainly faded over time

and easy to throw in the bag to play anywhere

super graphic little toy to display like a sculpture on a shelf

and that cat

I purchased the piece at an wonderful estate sale that included a number of fine woven textiles as well as an eclectic collection of notable modern and contemporary art and design objects from around the world

German Hand-painted Wooden Cutout Couple in Traditional Costumes tabletop boat While the naturally dyed colorI must say I find this unusual old pair of German cutout wooden figures quite compelling, and also problematic, which is I think in large part what makes them compelling. His very particular posture seems a pure embodiment of lustfulness, amplified (and made rather ridiculous to a modern eye) by his traditional lederhosen, while her serious expression complicates the gesture of her raising the skirt corner of her dirndl (in the other direction) making