Mystery Object #2 Reveal

Curated by Amber Laurie, Senior Curator of Marine History, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Sailor's Valentine - Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (M84.91.1)

Sailor's valentines were typically made by Barbadian women and men in the post-emancipation Victorian period. Men would often craft the mahogany bases while women created the shell patterns. Sections are divided by coloured cardboard while the shells are glued on top of cotton backing. Newspaper could also be included in the backing which is the case for this object. The selling of sailor's valentines was a source of employment for Barbadian women after the transition from plantation labour and enslavement. Common sailor's valentine symbols include hearts, stars, and general sentiments. These symbols are a mix of Afro-Barbadian and European influences. Aesthetically pleasing, they largely appealed to British and American Victorian naval officers and merchants who brought them home to their families. This form of commercial decorative art was popular from the 1830s through the 1920s.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic has several sailor’s valentines. However, this is the only one with a photograph. Typically, both sides of sailor’s valentines include central symbols such as hearts and stars, which is seen on the left side of this object.