Sailor's Valentine Handmade with Seashells and Mahogany

Sailor's Valentines are intricate designs composed of shells set into wooden frames, which sailors brought home to loved ones from their long sea voyages. They were primarily made in Barbados, a major port stop, crafted as a cottage industry by local women. They are now considered a highly collectible form of folk art and sell for thousands of dollars. Queen Victoria famously owned a high-quality Sailor's Valentine, which she gifted to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where it remains on display today.

This Sailor's Valentine dates from the 1990's and was handmade on the Indonesian island of Alor. It was sold by the high-end furnishings company Authentic Models and retains its original tags. These limited-edition pieces were designed as replicas that capture the sentiments and folk art style of 19th-century Victorian valentines. The pattern is "Wedding Star," with only white and cream-colored shells. (Most Sailor's Valentines are a mixture of colored shells.) The design is set into an octagonal mahogany box under glass, is backed with a wood panel and has a brass hanging ring at top. It was sold in the gift shop of The Whaling Museum in New Bedford, Massachusetts. 

This beautiful artwork measures 15 inches across, 3 inches deep and weighs 5 pounds. No longer being made, this Sailor's Valentine is a wonderful find in exceptional condition, with no loose shells or damage to the frame. As you can see in our photos, it's a stunning display wherever it's hung. 

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