an antique victorian shell keep sake love token sailors valentine roundel of " bamburgh castle".
circa 1890
approx 230mm in diameter.
an exquisite round shaped curved glass covered diorama, ( often known as a bulls eye on account of its curved glass, port hole roundels had flat glass ) consisting of a victorian colour tinted print of "bamburgh castle". surrounded by pelicans foot shells , cowrie, mussel, periwinkle and pretty coloured and pearlescent english and european shells.
bamburgh castle is located on the northeast coast of England near the village of bamburgh northumberland . the site was originally the location of a celtic bittonic fort known as Din Guarieand and may have been the capital of the kingdom of bernica from its foundation c.420 to 547, when it was captured by King Ida of Bernicia. After passing between the Britons and the anglo saxons three times, the fort came under Anglo-Saxon control in 590. The normans later built a new castle on the site, which forms the core of the present one.
tthis is a fine example of a shell keepsake. the shells are bright and all intact, they have been carefully cleaned and conserved removing a century of dirt, soot and grime to revitalise their natural beauty. the original brass and silk hanging ring has been replaced at some time with a later hanging ring.
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 roundel, 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.
