Victorian Dried Seaweed Pressing, Isle of Wight #7

Regular price $25.00

This is among the two largest of a handful of small seaweed pressings I purchased together, which I think are just exquisitely beautiful! A few of them are signed and dated at bottom, others initialed on back, and a few like this one unsigned, so they represent the work of a few different people, most likely young women, among whom seaweed collecting and pressing was quite the thing during the Victorian era. I love the fact that making these represented not just a burgeoning interest in the natural world, but also allowed greater freedom for women and girls--a reason, or even an excuse, to head out on their own toward the sea! And what could be better than a batch gathered on the Isle of Wight. 

6 1/4" x 4 3/4" on card.  Excellent condition.