Cutout

Traditional paper cut-outs from Lublin constitute a separate group in comparison with other Polish cut-outs. Flat, monochromatic forms cut out from a single sheet of glossy glancing paper, sometimes plain, home-made dyed (see E/17672/ML), were a compact composition with uncomplicatedly cut out ornaments. In the early period they were not very open-worked. They had a strip and ribbon arrangement, consisting of rhythmically repeating motifs of dolls or trees, and a geometric arrangement - circular or square. In square forms the edges were smooth or serrated, often a square was transformed into a cross. Ornaments in the form of rhombuses, triangles, ovals, arrows or swirls predominated (see E/436/ML). With time, the surface of cut-outs was enlarged, especially in external parts, and stylized plant motifs reminiscent of leafy-floral twigs appeared.

Older cut-outs were sometimes glued on a contrasting background. Newer ones took on circular forms as well as squares, polygons, rosettes or stars. Less frequently, the cut-outs were rectangular, cross-shaped, striped or so-called vase-shaped trees. The multi-axial geometric ornament was usually radial, centrifugal. It was composed of various elements: triangles, rhomboids, crescents, circles, hearts and arrows. Arrows, often in an arched form, were present either singly or in a complex form forming peacock eyes. Plant, zoomorphic (see E/433/ML) and anthropomorphic ornaments were also used. On their basis, many paper cutters developed their own style (see E/16193/ML, E/17674/ML). However, the serrated edges and the predominance of openwork forming an ornament over the background of the cut paper remained unchanged and characteristic.