Caribbean Folk Art

Double Sailor's Valentine with Large Anchor, Barbados Barbados, West Indies, Circa 1885 The double sailor's valentine from Barbados is formed within two hinged octagonal mahogany cases with the original loop clasp to the side. On the right side is a central oval design with the charming motto, "Forget Me Not" and on the left side a central heart shape all formed by different shells. Dimensions: 18 1/4 inches wide x 9 1/8 inches high x 2 3/4 inches deep (closed) Each side 9 1/8 inches x 9 1/8 inches x 1 1/4 inches deep open Reference: Sailors’ Valentines originated in the mid-1800s. The majority of Sailors’ Valentines came from the West Indies Island of Barbados, a Port of Call for American and English ships1. Sailors would buy or trade items for these nautical tokens as romantic gifts to take home to their loved ones during their long voyages at sea. Although Sailors’ valentines were made as early as the 1750s, they did not become popular until 1830s. The sailors’ valentine craze lasted until 1890, albeit some examples were made into the early 20th century. Sailors’ valentines are a form of shell craft, a type of mostly antique souvenir or sentimental gift made using large numbers of small seashells. These were originally made between 1830 and 1890, and they were designed to be brought home from a sailor’s voyage at sea and given to the sailor’s loved...

A 19th century sailor's shell valentine of typical octagonal form, the glazed case enclosing a geometric pattern of various shells within colored card ...

A wonderful original work by Haitian artist Gerard Fortune. Gerard was born in 1933 (although his exact date and year of birth are in dispute as other s...

Solid wood hand sculpture-cigar holder, Cuba circa 1990s.

A rare mid 19th century Sailor’s Valentine mounted as a table in a wrought iron frame. These octagonal shadow boxes, hinged together and fitted with glass panes, displayed elaborate ...

Colorful 1950's Emmanuel Jolicoeur framed original oil painting on canvas signed by artist. Actual painting size 25.75" x 18" x .50". Framed size 27.75 x 20" x .75". Emmanuel Joli...

A wonderful original work by Haitian artist Eric Jean-Louis. Born in 1957 in Jeremie, Jean-Louis is known for capturing natural scenes in Haiti. Using light and dark nuances and colors, his work often exemplifies a magical, dream-like quality to it. Jean-Louis, along with other prominent Haitian artists such as Nicolas Dreux, Calixte Henri...

A wonderful original work by Haitian artist Eric Jean-Louis. Born in 1957 in Jeremie, Jean-Louis is known for capturing natural scenes in Haiti. Using light and dark nuances and colors, his work often exemplifies a magical, dream-like quality to it. Jean-Louis, along with other prominent Haitian artists such as Nicolas Dreux, Calixte Henri...

Large Sailor's Valentine with Seashells, Barbados, West Indies, Circa 1885 The West Indian sailor’s valentine is of typical octagonal form with a glazed wood case with a compa...

Sailor's double shell valentine, Barbados, West Indies The West Indian sailor's valentine is of typical octagonal shape with two sides, hinged in ...

Rare vintage Susana Espinosa signed vintage abstract Glazed Sgraffito terracotta ceramic art plate charger stoneware studio 1970s Puerto Rico. Early outstanding piece by Espinosa -reputably Puerto Rico's most important modernist art potter. Signed in front Espinosa and Estudio on back. Art Studio Casa Candina glazed terracotta vessel with sgraffito Picasso style figural detail. This signed 1970s piece is a great example of the melding of ceramics and sculpture that is one of the hallmarks of her work. It features a stylized female figure with 3 dimensional accents in the body and face, with a combination of glazed and unglazed areas for beautiful contrast. The dimensional effect makes it particularly beautiful and a rare find. Plate measures 9" across and 1 3/8" high and has an integrated hanging loop. Excellent condition ready for display. Espinosa was born in Argentina, but is most famous for her modernist pottery work after moving to Puerto Rico in the late 1960s. A brief history of the artist: Ceramicist and craftswoman, Espinosa graduated in 1953 from the Academia de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires and worked in a ceramics factory until she opened her own studio in 1958. She lived and worked in Trinidad from 1961-1968, moving then to Puerto Rico, where she worked with Hal Lasky...

Caribbean mahogany table with sailor's valentine top, circa 1840 The Victorian mahogany table with a central column with a shaped square foote...