Hummingbird Valentine
1845/1869
Medium
Cloth and feather flowers and hummingbird with die-cut color lithographic device, and printed perforated lace paper borders on white satin cushion, housed in red box
Dimensions
Hummingbird: 8 × 6 × 4 cm (3 3/16 × 2 3/8 × 1 5/8 in.); Cushion: 17.5 × 11.2 × 2.5 cm (6 15/16 × 4 7/16 × 1 in.); Box: 19.5 × 19.5 × 6.5 cm (7 11/16 × 7 11/16 × 2 9/16 in.)
Classification
collage
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
26003
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Created in the mid-19th century, *Hummingbird Valentine* exemplifies the elaborate romantic tokens popular during the Victorian era. Jonathan King crafted this intricate piece between 1845 and 1869, combining natural and printed elements into a delicate collage. A tiny hummingbird, surrounded by cloth and feather flowers, rests on a white satin cushion framed by perforated lace paper borders and a colorful lithographic motif, all nestled within a protective red box. This mixed-media work reflects the Victorian fascination with sentiment and craftsmanship. Valentines of the period often blended mass-produced components, such as die-cut lithographs and lace papers, with handmade details to convey affection. The inclusion of a real hummingbird adds a striking natural element, symbolizing fleeting beauty and devotion. Classified as a collage in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings collection, the piece highlights early experiments in assemblage. Its compact scale and layered textures invite close viewing, revealing the tactile artistry that made such objects cherished keepsakes.