1800c Sailors Valentine Shell Art Bubble Glass frame

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Up for auction is an exceptionally large and stunning very rare Victorian Ear Shell Art Bubble Glass picture . Also know as a Roundel or Portholes as they provide a porthole into subjects of interest in time gone by. 4 layers of shells surround a depiction of a ocean front scene under covex glass. One can clearly see the print of the ship in the distance. In the forefront are shells, coral and sea grass bringing life to the scene. Just lovely. Some collectors refer to these as Sailors Valentines - depiction of love a sailor would bring home for his beloved. Sailors would collect shells as momentos of their trips. Paper shops would sell paper boxes/frames in decorative designs for the purpose of covering them with treasured shells - gifts for loved ones when they returned home. Later in the 1800s and early 1900s, shell folk art was sold in seaside town in finished form for sailors to purchase as souviners of their trips. It is amazing that this incredible piece has survived for more than 100 years. This incredible piece of early folk art is approx. 10 3/4 in in diameter. This piece is in fine condition. A shell may have been replace or t with so many it is hard to tell. No holes or spaces for missing shells. One or two of the shells are cracked but that is minor given the age. The glass is in great shape with no chips, breaks read more

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