Double Heart-in-Hand
Love Token
George and Esther E. Kenyon
March 15, 1854  

A personal expression of affection, combining cut-paper hearts and hands with woven hair. Each yellow hand holds a vivid blue heart with decorative cutouts, beneath a loop of hair.

The paired compositions are identified in pen inscription: “George Kenyon” and “Esther E. Kenyon,” with the shared date “March the 15: 1854.” Likely made to commemorate a marriage or engagement, its simple symmetry and strong blue-and-yellow palette give this intimate work of folk art an appealing graphic presence.

Presented in a period reeded blue-painted frame that complements the paper hearts. Frame size about 6 ¾ inches x 4 ¾.

For reference, see David Schorsch’s discussion in Expressions of Innocence and Eloquence: Selections from the Jane Katcher Collection of Americana. From a fine Northeast collection.