Card, valentine card

Valentine's card of embossed and lace paper layers with applied decoration. Comprising a white lace paper under sheet embossed with an underwater design incorporating shells, mermaids, fish and a boat. This sheet is by Kershaw & Son. Applied above is a smaller sheet with a green lace paper border and central embossed image, painted silver, of figures including a man playing a lute. This layer is also decorated with green fabric leaves and coloured paper flowers. The top layer comprises a gilded lace paper sheet with open figure of 8 shaped central panel bordered with cotton netting.

Victorian Valentine's cards like this could be made from commercially-produced papers. Paper lace was a popular card base and printed scraps would be added to adorn and personalise the cards.