Die, tinsel mount die

This die is engraved in the shape of four leaf sprigs and a line has been cut around the tool one centimetre from the top. This die was used to shape tinsel pieces to be sold as decorations for theatrical prints. Tinselling theatrical portraits became a popular pasttime in the 1830s. Initially tinsel would be cut and shaped at home, but later on ready cut tinselled shapes were sold. Standard shapes were developed and the designs became stylised so the same tinsel shapes could be used on multiple portraits. It was probably used by J. Webb, a gunsmith who developed an effective technique for attaching the foil to paper to be shaped.