Antique Engraved Brass Shoe Silhouette Mantel Ornament lovely plates and a few little scratches

and a few little scratches

and I just love the dynamic created by empty button holes and unhooked hooks

I've been on the hunt

I'd guess it was the Annie Briggs who wrote her name on the first inside page who also added a few  extra inspirations of her own--pasting in an engraving of Christ Feeding the Multitudes on the inside of the cover

some of these are dyed the most gorgeous shades of yellow--some darker

Antique Engraved Brass Shoe Silhouette Mantel Ornament lovely plates and a few little scratchesFrom what I understand, brass shoe and boot silhouettes of this ilk were a Victorian era thing in Great Britain, often given as wedding gifts to be placed on the mantle and meant to bring good luck. This one, with a terrific untouched patina to the brass, struck me as an especially lovely one, and features a moveable piece at front, perhaps to be raised when good luck was especially needed??!! With pin prick engraving along the top edge and toe, and a