Caribbean Folk Art

Antique Double Sailor's Valentine, dated 1903, a pair of handcrafted shell collages mounted in mahogany octagonal shadowboxes, hinged together and mounted with a clasp. This valentine features a heart and the inscription "Barbados, 1903." The valentine is in great condition, but does of course have a few shells that have come loose over the past century and a half. The cases remain in great condition as well, though there is a little looseness to the frame backboards. Victorians in the Age of Exploration and its accompanying Eclectic Movement embraced arts and crafts from around the world. Shell boxes are frequently seen, and even the odd shell diorama...

Pottery wall plate created by acclaimed Puerto Rican mid century modernist ceramicist, Susana Espinosa. Stylized bird design in the center created through carving and different colored glazes. Terra cotta with a yellow rim. Signed in the bottom right corner and dated 1974. A rare piece depicting an animal rather than her more commonly found designs of faces. Intended to used as a wall hanging with a wire on the back. Marked "PR" on the back indicating this was made in Puerto Rico. Please read her biography copied below. Artist's Biography: "Ceramist and draftswoman. She earned a bachelor’s degree in arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires in 1953 and worked in a ceramics factory until she opened her own workshop in 1958. She lived in Trinidad from 1961 to 1968, and then settled in Puerto Rico where she worked with Hal Lasky...

Unique historical maritime display box as a tribute to the ship wrecked schooner Marion, crafted in wood and ambitiously clad in twisted rope with a painting of the schooner at the t...

Cut steel metal sculpture two birds by George Liautaud ( 1899-1991 ) a blacksmith and self-taught sculptor - he ignited the metal sculpture movement in the 1950's in Croix-des-Bouque...

These original watercolors, shown here, are presumed to have been done in the West Indies in the late 18th or early 19th century. Purchased from the estate of a collector from Kensi...

19th Century Sailor's Valentine, circa 1870, a hand crafted double "sailor's valentine" shellwork picture featuring a central heart and the motto "From Barbados" within concentric ri...

Double Sailor's Valentine of Sea Shells and Motto "Ever Thine", Barbados, West Indies, Circa 1885 A double sailor's valentine with Spanish Cedar box...

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 ...

Whimsical acrylic painting on canvas of a boat with a woman and three chickens in a basket executed in a delightful naive style, reminiscent of Orville Bulman...

Striking vintage Haitian acrylic painting on canvas of African animals in a jungle setting executed in a distinctive naive style. Signed by noted artist Eustache Loubert and presente...

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...