Curious c. 1870s Baby Portrait with (Hidden Mother’s?) Hand, T.S. Estabrook, Brooklyn Ferrotype  st. louis This is one of my

This is one of my favorite carved figure I've found

with light wear to covers and a tear here and there

Signed (initialed) L

and find the combination of intricacy and subtly quite exquisite

11 3/8 l x 6 3/8” t x 1” d

Curious c. 1870s Baby Portrait with (Hidden Mother’s?) Hand, T.S. Estabrook, Brooklyn Ferrotype  st. louis This is one of myI keep an eye out for hidden mother portraits antique photos in which the mother of a young child is present, unusually in order to prop up or comfort the child, but either veiled (often in the most wonderfully absurd ways) or only partially in the frame. Here I assume it is the mother's hand and arm at upper left, clutching what appear to be a few flowers and I'n not sure what all. On the other hand, this child does not look especially full of life,