Conspirator Christmas

[L Verge]

Thanks, Laurie - wonderful link. As for the theme I guess it's inspired from the traditional Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) Xmas craft and woodcutting:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ore_Mountain_folk_art
http://www.erzgebirgepalace.com/

That was the history I learned while searching for the story of nutcrackers. Fascinating.

I couldn't help thinking that the giant nutcracker in the first photo would have been a sturdy guard over Mr. Lincoln's catafalque.