Valentine 1850 - 1860

This anonymous 19th-century "Valentine" card from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is a fine example of Victorian-era sentimental art. The card features a delicate floral design embossed in gold on a white background, with a central image of a cherub holding a banner that reads "SOUVENIR." The cherub and the flowers are surrounded by an ornate border, which further accentuates the card's romantic theme. These intricate details and the use of gold leaf make this a highly decorative object and exemplify the Victorian fascination with elaborate ornament.