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Large Double Sailor s Valentine with Heart and Star Motto Home to Stay

$12,500List Price

About the Item

The large sailor's valentine made of shells from Barbados has on the left side a star for with the unusual motto Home to Stay above. To the right is a heart shape with a rose above. A sailor's valentine is a form of shellcraft, a type of mostly antique souvenir, or sentimental gift made using large numbers of small seashells. These were originally made between 1830 and 1890, and they were designed to be brought home from a sailor's voyage at sea and given to the sailor's loved one or loved ones. Sailor valentines are typically octagonal, glass fronted, hinged wooden boxes ranging from 8 to 20 inches (20 to 51 cm) in width, displaying intricate symmetrical designs composed entirely of small sea shells of various colors glued onto a backing. Patterns often feature a centerpiece such as a compass rose or a heart design, hence the name, and in some cases the small shells are used to spell out a motto or sentimental message. Although the name seems to suggest that the sailors themselves made these objects, a large number of them originated in the island of Barbados, which was an important seaport during this period. Historians believe that the women on Barbados made the valentines using local shells, or in some cases using shells imported from Indonesia, and then the finished products were sold to the sailors. In his book Sailors' Valentines, John Fondas concludes that the primary source for sailors' valentines was the New Curiosity Shop, located in McGregor Street, Bridgetown, Barbados, a popular shop where sailors would purchase souvenirs. The shop was owned by the English brothers B.H. and George Belgrave. Fondas recounts that while an antique sailors' valentine was being repaired and reconstructed, pieces of a Barbados newspaper were found inside the backing material.

Dimensions:
Height: 3 in (7.62 cm)Width: 28.13 in (71.46 cm)Depth: 14.13 in (35.9 cm)
Style:
Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Shell
Place of Origin:
Barbados
Period:
Mid-19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1860-1885
Condition:
2 loose small shells.
Seller Location:
Downingtown, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: NY83071stDibs: LU86104138753

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