sliderarrowCloseMenushare_facebookshare_instagramshare_xshare_linkedinshare_threadsshare_shareshare_tranditionalshare_calendarshare_emailicon_threadsconnect_facebookconnect_instagramconnect_xconnect_youtubeconnect_atbtn_arrowhamburger-x
Skip to main content
Menu Collections

Sailor's Valentine

Sailor's Valentine

Public Domain

Maker
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Sailor's Valentine
Date19th century
Made inUnited States
MediumWood, shell, glass
Dimensions1/2 × 9 1/4 × 9 1/4 in. (1.3 × 23.5 × 23.5 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of the estate of Miss Ima Hogg
Object numberB.79.91.A,.B
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionMany sailor’s valentines with elaborate patterns of small shells encased in hinged frames were made in the West Indies, particularly Barbados. Mariners could purchase them there on the homebound leg of their journeys. Sentimental inscriptions such as “Home Again” and Think of Me” were popular.
ProvenanceMiss Ima Hogg; Estate of Miss Ima Hogg, 1975; given to MFAH, 1979
Exhibition History"The Voyage of Life," Houston Public Library, Houston TX, Jesse Jones (Central) Branch, February 1–27, 1994; Tuttle Branch, March 1–27, 1994; Heights Branch, March 29–April 24, 1994; Robinson-Westchase Branch, April 26–May 22, 1994; Smith Branch, May 24–June 19, 1994.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Sailor's Sleep
Ben Culwell
Sailor's Sleep
1942
Mimeograph on paper
2025.777
Sailors
Jean Cocteau
Sailors
c. 1925-1928
Pen and ink on ivory wove paper
2022.302
Figure of a Sailor's Lass
Bow Porcelain Factory
Figure of a Sailor's Lass
c. 1752
Soft-paste porcelain
96.1534
[Navy Sailors at the New Club DeLisa, Chicago]
Lonnie Simmons
[Navy Sailors at the New Club DeLisa, Chicago]
1940–1945
Gelatin silver print
2025.780
Female Twin Figure, Ere Ibeji, with Garment
Unknown African
Female Twin Figure, Ere Ibeji, with Garment
1900–1930
Wood, glass beads, cotton cloth, nails, coconut shell beads, and traces of indigo and tukula
91.1448.A,.B
Twin Figures, Ere Ibeji, with Shared Garment
Unknown African
Twin Figures, Ere Ibeji, with Shared Garment
1900–1950
Wood, glass beads, cotton cloth, coconut shell beads, and traces of indigo and tukula
91.1447.A-.C
Shalako Mana (Cloud Maiden) Kachina Figure
Unknown North American
Shalako Mana (Cloud Maiden) Kachina Figure
1920–1940
Wood, paint, feathers, shell, and string
44.399
front of object
Unknown Central and South American
Poporo with Feline Head and Figures of Human Warriors
650–900 AD
Wood inlaid with shell
2010.847
front of object
Unknown Central and South American
Figure of a Male
1100–1450 AD
Wood inlaid with mother of pearl and spondylus shell
2010.910
front of object
Unknown Central and South American
Figure of a Male
1100–1450 AD
Wood inlaid with mother of pearl and spondylus shell
2010.909
front of object
Unknown Central and South American
Staff Finial of a Head Wearing a Large Crown
1100–1450 AD
Wood inlaid with spondylus shell and mother of pearl
2010.666
Woman with Large Flower
Judy Onofrio
Woman with Large Flower
1995
Wood, glass, shell, printed tin, glass beads, mirror, and chain
2004.1971
Unknown American