The distant climes may us divide
to think on you shall be my pride
The Winds and Waves may prove unkind
In me no change you’ll ever find.
A magic spell will bind us fast
And make me love you to the last
Let Cupid then your heart incline
to take me for your Valentine
OK, so I am once again sitting here at my desk reviewing the list
of upcoming blogs that I intend to write. It’s Valentines Day and Alison
and I had earlier this morning exchanged a small assortment of gifts
and cards. You know, there is nothing better than to spend Valentine’s
Day with someone special, and it is a wonderful feeling to give someone
you care about a truly unique gift. It is that idea that has stirred me
to write this blog on Sailor’s valentines.
As
sailors traveled around the world, they often made or purchased
mementos of their travels for their loved ones back home. As stated in
Marine Art & Antiques "Jack Tar, A Sailor's Life 1750-1910" by J
Welles and Rodney P. Carlisle, "the sailor was concerned with making a
fine appearance once he returned to shore, and hence would embellish his
shore-going finery. He never stopped thinking about women and the
love-life he was missing, either representing his fantasy by buying a
gift he would later lavish on a particular woman. The sailor converted
the long hours into cherished artifacts and bought still others."
Such as the fancy-work sailor’s valentines from the island of Barbados.
The romantic verse above was taken from a Victorian era Valentines card.
Most of these valentines would include an illustration depicting the
departure or return of the sailor to their sweethearts and wives. This
spiritual message below was printed on the reverse side of an early 19th
century Sunderland pearlware mug. The saying "Forget Me Not" is again
used on the Sailor's Valentine pictured above.
The sailor tost in stormy seas,
Though fir his bark may roam
Still hears a voice in every breeze
That wakens thoughts of home
He thinks upon his distant friends
His wife, his humble cot
And from his inmost heart ascends
the prayer-Forget me not.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SAILORS VALENTINES
Seashell
collecting became popular by the early 1800s, especially in England and
America. By the mid-1800s, sea shells were brought back from the
Caribbean to Europe and America for use in home display cases. This
interest in shell collecting may have later inspired the idea of the
sailor's valentine, and the intricate shell display cases influenced the
busy designs of these affordable souvenirs of sea voyages.
Research has discounted the
long-held belief that these were made by sailors themselves as shipboard
diversion. Several facts point to the West Indies, and particularly
Barbados, as an origin for sailor's valentines. The West Indies had
enjoyed close economic ties with England and America since colonial
times. Barbados, easternmost of the British West Indies, was an
important port of call for ships engaged in trade among the islands. The
most windward of the Caribbean islands, Barbados was visited by
merchant seamen, whalemen, and yachtsmen alike, who arrived for a
variety of reasons, including trading, reprovisioning, and touring the
island. Visitors who wanted to remember the island by bringing a
tangible reminder of Barbados home with them could easily find objects
made on the island.
In the book “Sailors' Valentines” by John Fondas, he 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. Decorative shellwork was at
its height in the 1820s, and the Belgraves' shop was sought out for its
locally crafted shell designs in eight-sided boxes, similar to those
that encased ship's compasses. Purchased typically by seamen for loved
ones back home, these pieces were soon dubbed sailors' valentines.
A sailor's valentine is made of one, or, more often, a hinged pair of
octagonal wooden display cases lined with fabric. Small shells, seeds,
or other materials are glued to the fabric, usually forming a colorful
design. The name "sailor's valentine" comes from the fact that there is
usually a sentimental phrase, such as "Forget Me Not," "With Love," or
other sayings that we use on Valentine's Day. The shape is thought to
come from old compass cases carried aboard sailing ships.
CONTEMPORARY SAILOR'S VALENTINES
A hand-full of artists still
produce these marvelous fancy works. You will see though a broader scope
of designs than their victorian counterpart. Sailor valentine artist
today create everything from replica valentines closely resembling the
19th century designs to completley original and very elaborate creations
unique to themselves. Canadian artist Judy Dinnick is one of these
award-winning artists creating sailor's valentines masterpieces today.
"It 's wonderful to see the
resurgence and appreciation of this old art form inspired by the
aesthetic beauty of shells, gifts from the sea for us all," stated
Dinnick. Judy lived in the Bahamas for many years where she first became
acquainted with Sailor's Valentines. After being involved in many
aspects of the decorative arts for many years, Judy now devotes all of
her time to creating Sailor's Valentines.
"I
also do shell stars, hearts, and roundels incorporating bubble glass,
reminiscent of Victorian times. I like to paint miniature oil paintings
for the centers of my designs. A table I have done features a 19th
century painted ivory. I do scrimshaw on ivory and sometimes carve
little ivory fish to add interest to my valentines. Often I line the
inside walls of the box with silk or place my shell flowers on a silk
cushion."
Judy Dinnick has won single and
double valentine contests in the Sanibel Shell Show for 2009, 2008, and
2007. All six earned ribbons, two of which were blue (1st place) . Judy
also recieved the Judges Special Award for my 2007 double valentine. Her
valentines are seen in galleries and at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.
Judy's art has been featured in both Canadian and American magazines and
has been featured on Martha Stewart Show.
Watch the video on Marth Stewart's website
Creating valentines is a fascinating and challenging craft ; a labor of love to all of us who do them.
(above: Sailor's Valentine - "Forget Me Not", shell, cedar, glass, metal, cotton, paper, ca. 1870. Courtesy of Strong Museum.)
(above: Sailor's Valentine - "A
Present/Think of Me", shell, cedar, glass, metal, cotton, tintype, ca.
1895. Courtesy of Strong Museum.)
A Regency needlework silk picture-
"The Sailor's Farewell", depicting a Tar leaving a weeping woman in
front of a domestic setting with stumpwork trees.
"The Sailor's Adieu" Nathaniel Currier, lithographer and publisherThe Mariners' Museum
"Tis Our Sailing Thing" Original Sailor's Valentine by Judy Dinnick.
