I discovered a gorgeous way to use my seashells a few years ago. Not sure where I first saw one but I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I had seen. I got all my shells together and made one for my husband for Valentine's Day probably 10 years ago.
It's called a Sailor's Valentine. Here are some pictures and the story of how they started.
Enjoy...Smile
~Dawn
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 These were originally made between 1830 and 1890, and they were designed to be brought home from a sailor's voyage at sea and given to the sailor's loved one or loved ones.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.
