an exquisite antique victorian keep sake love token, shell sailors valentine anchor
approx 270mm high.
an exquisite anchor shaped curved glass covered diorama, consisting of a superb victorian coloured print of Brightons palace pier, set with shells and sea flora under glass. surrounded by pelicans foot shells , cowrie, clam, periwinkle and pretty coloured and pearlescent english and european shells with a superb mother of pearl shell set between the abchors arms.
this is a superb example of a shell keepsake. the print of brightons palace pier originally known as the brighton marine palace and pier, is sharp showing no fading and retaining its very pretty colours .the print depicts a finished pier with the inscription...brighton, rough sea and palace pier....to the right of the pier a large crowd is pictured on a sea defence known locally at the time as the albion groyne, probably gathered for the piers debut to the public in may 1899......the shells are bright and all intact, they have been carefully cleaned and conserved to revitalise their natural beauty. the wood effect paper on the reverse is in extremely fine condition,as is the edging tape, the brass hanging ring shows little sign of use and the ribbon is strong ready for wall hanging.
the brighton marine palace and pier company was formed in 1889 to build a replacement for the aging royal suspension chain pier that had been built in 1823. the palace pier was Designed by R. St. George Moore, construction began in 1891 but stalled due to severe financial difficulties. In December 1896, a violent storm completely destroyed the nearby Chain Pier, washing debris into the unfinished Palace Pier and causing massive damage to the under-construction Palace Pier. the pier was unofficially opened in May 1899 to great acclaim, and the entire structure, including its ornate pavilion head, was finally finished by April 1901 at a total cost of £137,000.
shell work was very much in vogue when queen victoria came to the throne in 1837. her reign coincided with a period of tremendous social expansion as the industrial revolution gave more and more people free time, money and education to enjoy pastimes. coastal resorts and spas became popular holiday destinations. sea shells became very fashionable as souvenirs, in particular when they were incorporated into items such as this anchor d'amour, to be taken home as a reminder of the good times spent on holiday or as a keepsake or love token to be given to a potential suitor.
this antique shell keepsake was manufactured in the uk over 100 years ago.
