Valentine 1842 - 1875

This anonymous Valentine, a paper lace card, speaks to us through symbols of love and affection. Look at the image of the family, the roses, and the heart – all emblems of familial love and romantic bonds. The rose, often associated with Venus, the goddess of love, has roots in ancient Greece and Rome. It then reappears during the Renaissance, and in the Victorian era, with the popularization of floriography, the language of flowers. The heart, too, carries centuries of emotional weight. From ancient rituals connecting it to the soul, to its present-day use, the symbol has undergone transformations, yet its emotional essence remains. Even in the modern era, hearts and flowers are intertwined with our deepest emotions. The choice of these motifs is no accident; they engage our collective memory, reminding us of love and connections. They tap into a realm of shared human experience, resonating on a subconscious level. This card thus transcends its material form. It becomes a vessel through which emotions are communicated.