IMPORTANT SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FOLK ART CUT-WORK / SCHERENSCHNITTE VALENTINE, watercolor and ink on paper, an outstanding and vibrant example, executed by Sarah Weaver (1839-1918) of Rockingham Co., Virginia, design featuring a central circular and semicircular cut-outs, outer border of eight large elliptical cut-outs, each featuring a bird perched on floral / foliate devices and heart, sawtooth edge, vivid polychrome watercolor embellishment. Verse running circuitously throughout, including "Sarah Weaver is my name and single is my life and happy is the man gets me for a wife", dated "the 25th day of May 1854". Unframed. Circa 1854. 13" D.
Very good condition with light fold lines, minor toning, foxing, and discoloration. Small 1/4" inch tear and repair to one edge.
Provenance: Descended directly in the family of the maker.
Catalogue Note: The present valentine was created by Sarah Weaver (1839-1918) of Rockingham Co., Virginia in 1854 and comes to us directly from the family, along with two other cut-work valentines and an embroidered show towel. Born to parents Samuel Weaver (1790-1857) and Elizabeth Rhodes (b.1792), Sarah married James William Sharps (1843-1916) in 1866 in Harrisonburg, and the couple remained in the area for the remainder of their lives. Sarah was between the ages of 15 and 17 when she completed the presently offered group of folk objects, 15 when she worked this specific valentine on which she pines "Skies are Blue and Leaves are Green you are the most lovliest and handsomest I ever seen." Rarely do delicate early folk objects of this caliber and condition appear on the market, and it is almost unheard of to have a group of these objects, all by the same maker, fresh from the family, come forth at once. The appearance of the current example on the open market represents a unique opportunity for astute collectors of Southern folk and decorative arts.

Very good condition with light fold lines, minor toning, foxing, and discoloration. Small 1/4" inch tear and repair to one edge.