an antique victorian shell keep sake love token sailors valentine roundel .
circa 1890
approx 200mm 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 hand tinted photographic print of the old and new steamers named st.george with embarking passengers, at deganwy landing stage on the river Conwy Wales. surrounded by pelicans foot shells , cowrie, mussel, periwinkle and pretty coloured and pearlescent english and european shells.
the photograph is a print of the old and new st. George steamers embarking passengers at deganwy landing stage which is quite a rare image to find in a shell roundel. the passengers are being taken on an excursion up river to trefriw a village on the edge of the snowdonia national park. In 1833 the old Roman mineral water caves (believed to have been discovered by soldiers of the XXth Roman Legion) were excavated in an attempt to attract visitors to them. In 1863 Lord Willoughby de Eresby built a small bath-house. Large numbers of people came to visit, no doubt aided by national advertising, and the declaration by Dr. Hayward, a fashionable medical specialist from Liverpool that this was "Probably the best spa in the United Kingdom". In more recent times clinical trials have proven that the Spa water is a medically effective iron supplement.
trefriw also boasted a rock canon sited on the hill overlooking llanwrst, it comprised of 13 holes each about 80cm apart. its use in 1863 was reported in the local paper where it is recorded that "Rock and metal cannons were fired in such profusion that about 8cwt of gunpowder was consumed."[ this was to celebrate the marriage of Albert Edward, prince of Wales to princess Alexandra of Denmark 10 march 1863. it was reported that the sounding of the canon resounded through the valley like thunder and for some time.
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 wood effect paper on the reverse is in good condition, the brass hanging ring is in tact and is strong ready for wall hanging.
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.
