Beautiful Pair of Ambrotypes in Matching shop Union Cases, 1/6 size

Product Name: Beautiful Pair of Ambrotypes in Matching shop Union Cases, 1/6 size
I have no backstory on this pair of images, but it clearly appears to be a couple, as the cases are of an identical motif in union era thermoplastic and matching velvet. The outer cases depict shop a scene of two children with lambs, and botanical imagery ( wheat, ivy, oak/holly?). The images themselves are of excellent exposure/contrast and have been hand-tinted (blush on cheeks, and gold on the woman's jewelry). Each comes in its own (imperfect) case. These pieces likely date from the 1860s or possibly as early as the 1850s. Both images come in complete union cases with visible wear/damage. There is chipping/missing portions in the cases themselves, though each has one working hinge and functioning clasps. The Ambrotype is a photographic process introduced in the early 1850s. It is essentially an underexposed glass negative (wet plate collodion) that could be viewed as a positive image when placed on a black background. These plates are typically displayed on a black backing, or may ha.