Valentine - Mechanical bouquet, baby boy bunting 1870 - 1880

This is a handmade Valentine from the Met's collection, an intricate “mechanical bouquet” crafted with baby boy bunting. Though the artist remains anonymous, this object speaks volumes about the sentimental culture of the late 19th century. These tokens of affection were often handmade, reflecting the personal touch considered essential in courtship and relationships. The inclusion of baby boy bunting, a decorative element usually associated with welcoming a newborn, suggests themes of domesticity and future family life, mirroring societal expectations of women in that era. The French inscription, "Bonheur et Prospérité" - happiness and prosperity - encapsulates the aspirations tied to romantic love. In a world that was rapidly industrializing, making a valentine by hand, became an intimate gesture, a tender resistance to mass production, meant to convey deeply personal emotions.