Antique Victorian Sailor Valentine Folk Art Nautical Ship Diorama - Remember Me
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:45247444 | Original/Reproduction: Antique Original |
This is an antique Victorian Sailor’s Valentine nautical steamboat diorama.
I would estimate it dates circa 1890s or 1900s.
The overall frame measures 14 3/4 inches wide x 13 3/8 inches high (37.4 cm x 34 cm). The visual part of the diorama measures 11 1/8 inches wide x 9 5/8 inches high (28 point.2 cm x 24.4 cm). It protrudes out from the wall 3 1/4 inches (8.2 cm).
I believe this entire piece was made by the same person. Everything inside is original and the deep well fram...e looks hand built.
I would think this was made just before the sailor left and given to his love.
I believe most of the decoration inside is celluloid. There are old paper doilies, thick tissue paper, rope and gold bullion cord going around the exterior. I believe the boat is thin, silver painted cardboard. Cotton was used as the smoke stack steam. The background painting with the lighthouse is hand done.
When I purchased this, it had a newer back being held in with thumbtacks. I took that off, and was able to pull the diorama out of the frame. The current back also looks later, though it may have just been protected by its original backing. That must have deteriorated over time, so someone put a new back on. Given the water stains going around the exterior of the diorama (please see photos), I believe there was water damage in the back which caused the deterioration.
Still, the interior held up very well with only the outer casing being stained (please see photo).
The frame has a number of scratches and dings to the surface, but it suits the diorama perfectly.
The glass is very bubbled and wavy. It has some scratches on it, but you really only see these at certain angles.
It weighs 3 lbs. 5 oz. (1.5 kg).
I would estimate it dates circa 1890s or 1900s.
The overall frame measures 14 3/4 inches wide x 13 3/8 inches high (37.4 cm x 34 cm). The visual part of the diorama measures 11 1/8 inches wide x 9 5/8 inches high (28 point.2 cm x 24.4 cm). It protrudes out from the wall 3 1/4 inches (8.2 cm).
I believe this entire piece was made by the same person. Everything inside is original and the deep well fram...e looks hand built.
I would think this was made just before the sailor left and given to his love.
I believe most of the decoration inside is celluloid. There are old paper doilies, thick tissue paper, rope and gold bullion cord going around the exterior. I believe the boat is thin, silver painted cardboard. Cotton was used as the smoke stack steam. The background painting with the lighthouse is hand done.
When I purchased this, it had a newer back being held in with thumbtacks. I took that off, and was able to pull the diorama out of the frame. The current back also looks later, though it may have just been protected by its original backing. That must have deteriorated over time, so someone put a new back on. Given the water stains going around the exterior of the diorama (please see photos), I believe there was water damage in the back which caused the deterioration.
Still, the interior held up very well with only the outer casing being stained (please see photo).
The frame has a number of scratches and dings to the surface, but it suits the diorama perfectly.
The glass is very bubbled and wavy. It has some scratches on it, but you really only see these at certain angles.
It weighs 3 lbs. 5 oz. (1.5 kg).
