Some of the early cut-work examples were made with the assistance of fine small-bladed knives. Specimens of cut vellum exist, which it would have been impossible to cut with scissors alone. A notably fine example is in the Francisco-Carolinum Museum at Linz; it is an Ex Voto offering, and represents the Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt. The parchment mount has the most elaborate tendrils cut out, while typically German flourishes and mantling support birds and beasts. A stag-hunt is seen in one part, while the imperial eagle is not wanting in this skilful production. The picture is dated 1708.
In the same museum is a magnificent Dedication to the State Deputation of the Province of Nymwegen. Justice is surrounded by angels and trophies, painted and gilded, and the arms of the province are cut with much delicacy, and with richly foliated ornament. The whole is mounted on red, and dated 1710, but the artist wielder of the penknife unfortunately does not sign his work.
It is possible that these examples were convent-made. The cutting out of religious subjects and the extreme elaboration of their ornamental borders flourished, to a small extent, for some years after the printing press had destroyed the occupation of the monks in copying and illuminating manuscripts. A reproduction of one of these is now before us. It represents St. Benedict seated in the habit of a monk; a cross, skull, and other symbols are on the rocks at his side; the saint has a halo. A large tree is in the background, and birds and a squirrel are amongst the branches; two steps lead down to a sylvan scene, where the saint is seen walking away in the distance. Conventionalised roses, cornucopia, and floriated forms compose the wide border; this is all cut on the same piece of vellum, but there is no colour used. Another convent-made cut picture, which was exhibited at the Brünn Exhibition, shows a picture of the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan; it is signed “F. Agathaugdus, Bonnensis Capuchin.” In this picture, which is of paper, not vellum, the arms of a bishop appear, together with the inscription, “Johanni Ernesto, S.R.I., Principi Metropolitanæ Eccl., Salisbury.”
An achievement of arms seems to have been a favourite subject for such pieces. A remarkable specimen in cut paper, mounted on looking-glass, is in the collection of Lady Dorothy Nevill. It displays the arms, supporters, and motto of Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, the ancestor of Lady Dorothy. These examples are very difficult to find; it is probable that many have been destroyed.
SILHOUETTE PORTRAITS OF MEMBERS OF THE ANSLEY FAMILY
Painted in black and orange-red on convex glass. Dated 1793. Signed by W. Spornberg
In the possession of Lady Sackville, Knole
Another example, in the possession of the author, shows a heraldic escutcheon, with wolf and hound supporter, etc. This lies between two sheets of glass. The minuteness of the cutting of this fine paper is extraordinary.