Sailor's Valentine

NameAssemblage

Artist Artist unrecorded

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

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.