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A late Victorian shellwork valentine in the rarer shape of a horseshoe. It features a chromolithograph of the RMS Campania, a British ocean liner owned by the Cunard Steamship Line Shipping Company, and was launched in 1892. When the Campania entered service in 1893, it was the largest and fastest passenger liner afloat. This shellwork was possily made to celebrate this ship's achievement.
 
In front of the image is an artfully arranged display of shells and seaweed, creating a 3D effect to the view. All encased in a hand-blown glass bubble.
 
PLEASE NOTE: the small piece of red coral is loose within the diorama, and may move in transit. Once received, it may therefore require a little gentle coercing back into place.
 
These shellwork dioramas were produced in the late Victorian/early Edwardian period as souvenirs of coastal towns and seaside locations, often bought by sailors as presents for their sweethearts.