Sailor's valentine

A sailors' valentine from circa 1870
A sailor's valentine in the collection of the Mariners Museum.

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 These were originally made between 1830 and 1890, and they were designed to be brought home from a sailor's voyage at sea and given to the sailor's loved one or loved ones.[1] Sailor valentines are typically octagonal, glass fronted, hinged wooden boxes ranging from 8" to 15" 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 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.[1]

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.[2] Fonda recounts that while an antique sailors' valentine was being repaired and reconstructed, pieces of a Barbados newspaper were found inside the backing material.

Today, antique sailors' valentines are collectibles, valued for their beauty and unusual qualities. Collector interest has sparked a resurgence in sailors' valentines as an art form, and because of this, shell kits and patterns are now sold at craft shops.[3] Many sailors' valentines, both new and old, can be found on Nantucket, Massachusetts.

See also

Affidavit by George Gordon Belgrave, Curio Dealer of St Michael, confirm that the Belgrave brothers, Benjamin Hinds Belgrave and George Gordon Belgrave, were the grandsons of Jacob Belgrave Jr. one of the earliest substantial planters from the "free coloured" community.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fondas, John. Sailors' Valentines, Rizzoli International Publications, 2002
  2. ↑ See also Norma Faria, "Scrimshaw Art in Bequia", Caribbean Compass, March 1998
  3. ↑ Constance Marshall Miller, Mary S. Page, Ann T. Schutt, and Grace L. Madeira, Sailors' Valentines: Their Journey Through Time, Schiffer Publishing, 2006
  4. ↑ RB1/414/524, 17 June 1902 and RB1/421/425. 13 June 1902.

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