German Vintage Carved Walnut Miniature Nativity Scene original Teppich figurines to hold two decks

to hold two decks

The fabric around his waist (where the red bow is) seems to have been painted and shows cracking

then negative space for the other

including this

German Vintage Carved Walnut Miniature Nativity Scene original Teppich figurines to hold two decksI continue to marvel at the wide array of things humans of different cultures do with walnuts! I couldn't resist this example of walnut related ingenuity: a tiny nativity scene, complete with baby Jesus in his crib and the star of Bethlehem shooting in the top left corner! From what I've learned, these are a German tradition, and I'd guess this one dates to the mid 20th century or so. I believe the figures are carved of wood and glued inside, and then