Product Description
The Sea Flower sailor's valentine, a handmade shell mosaic by Fred Winey
The Sea Flower sailor's valentine by Fred Winey is a hand-set mosaic of seashells arranged in a traditional octagonal wooden case. At its center blooms a large flower made of pale shells, ringed by spiral snails, soft green limpets, and small lavender blossoms of shell.
Sailor's valentines date to the 19th century, when sailors brought home octagonal shell mosaics as gifts for loved ones, many of them made in Barbados. Winey continues that tradition, placing hundreds of tiny shells by hand into a symmetrical pattern framed in warm, reddish wood.
Features
- Handmade shell mosaic by Fred Winey
- Traditional octagonal wooden case
- Central shell flower with symmetrical pattern
- Natural shells in cream, green, lavender, and brown
- One-of-a-kind display piece
Specifications
- Material: Natural seashells, wooden case
- Artisan: Fred Winey
- Style: Sailor's valentine, octagonal shell mosaic
- Intended use: Display, collection, gifting
Care Instructions
Dust gently with a soft brush. Keep the piece away from moisture and prolonged direct sunlight, and display it upright or on a stable surface to protect the shellwork.
FAQ
What is a sailor's valentine?
A sailor's valentine is a shell mosaic set in an octagonal case, a 19th-century keepsake sailors brought home to loved ones.
Who made this piece?
This sailor's valentine was handmade by Fred Winey.
Are the shells natural?
Yes. The mosaic is made from natural seashells arranged by hand.
Hundreds of shells set by hand into a flower of the sea, in the long tradition of the sailor's valentine.
Made to Order
Most pieces are in stock and ship right away. Items requiring engraving or finishing are completed within a few days, prepared with the same care and craftsmanship Scrimshanders is known for.