George and Abe, Transcendent Pair of 1930s Carved Silhouettes pbr Sight: 12 1/2 x 11

Sight: 12 1/2 x 11 1/2"

and very concerted

I have found a match of this set being sold only by an Asian antiques specialist (for more than 5x what I am selling them for)--the only difference being that that one includes a small tray in addition to the cigarette (or opium) box and match box here

the outfits

George and Abe, Transcendent Pair of 1930s Carved Silhouettes pbr Sight: 12 1/2 x 11For me, these two quite transcend their origins as carvings made "by pupils" 1937 38, which is what is noted in graphite on their reverse sides, along with the name of the teacher, which is a bit hard to read. I'll give that teacher great credit for leading their students in the exercise of relief carving silhouettes and painting staining them black and white in direct conversation with the hollow cut silhouette of a hundred years prior, and of course