Sailor's Valentine

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
Not on view

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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.

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Sailors
Jean Cocteau
c. 1925-1928
Pen and ink on ivory wove paper
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Figure of a Sailor's Lass
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c. 1752
Soft-paste porcelain
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Woman with Large Flower
Judy Onofrio
1995
Wood, glass, shell, printed tin, glass beads, mirror, and chain
2004.1971
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
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
Overall.
Samuel Gassman
2023
Tiara: Iron, platinum, enamel on copper, 19th century neoclassical helmet shell cameos, pink conch shell cameo, 19th century malachite cameo, 19th century hard stone cameo, shell, ebony, rose quartz, citrine, opal, garnet, sea glass, aquamarine, amethyst, gold, natural pearls, tigers eye, 19th century cut steel, silk, cotton velvet, and silk floss Box: Archival foam core, Magic Smooth resin, cotton gauze, silk, cotton velvet, silver, metallic bullion ribbon, paper, cotton damask c. 1900, silk damask c. 1850, 18th century linen, cotton thread, and silk floss
2024.284.A,.B
front of object
650–900 AD
Wood inlaid with shell
2010.847
front of object
1100–1450 AD
Wood inlaid with mother of pearl and spondylus shell
2010.910
front of object
1100–1450 AD
Wood inlaid with mother of pearl and spondylus shell
2010.909
front of object
1100–1450 AD
Wood inlaid with spondylus shell and mother of pearl
2010.666
Pair of Figures
1895–1905
Wood, metal, beads, shell, and paint
97.1495.1,.2
Twin Figure (ere ibeji) with Garment
1940–1960
Wood, cowry shells, cotton cloth, sacrificial matter, plastic beads, nails, and traces of indigo
97.811.A,.B