Charming Little Striped German Erzgebirge / Putz Houses, A Pair hand hoe There in one small surface

There in one small surface chip on one of the handles mid-way down

and would strongly suggest it was made in a grocery store for actual store use

5 5/8” t x 2 1/16” w x 1 1/4” d and in good condition

And on the opposite inside page a note that it was a birthday present to Betsey Adams (Nellie) from her friend Dorinda Conant

Very early 20th century I would guess

Charming Little Striped German Erzgebirge / Putz Houses, A Pair hand hoe There in one small surfaceThe hand painted red stripes on these two completely delights me, I would guess intended to make them look Christmas y, but to me making them look quite carnivalesque! Terrific painted roofs, too. German, I think these would be described as Putz, which evolved from the German word "putzen" meaning to clean or to decorateas beginning in the late 19th c. or so these were used to decorate around Christmas nativity scenes. I believe this pair dates to the