Sailor's Valentine

NameAssemblage

Artist Artist not recorded

Date19th century

Place madeUnited States, North America

MediumMahogany, shells, glass

Dimensions2 3/8 × 8 1/4 × 8 3/8 in. (6 × 21 × 21.2 cm)
Box open laying flat: 1 3/16 × 8 1/4 × 16 15/16 in. (3 × 21 × 43 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, IFAF Collection, gift of Eric Zafran, FA.2020.53.1

Object numberFA.2020.53.1

Collections

United States and Canada

ProvenancePurchased from Skinner, Inc. auction, April 2020 Private collection, Virginia

DescriptionThe piece is a folding, double-sided, octagonal-shaped assemblage of shells housed in a mahogany case. On one side is a heart, and on the other a rosette or compass shape. There are some detached shells, which remain within the glass-covered case.