Featured These Shell Boxes

Anyone have some history behind these? My mother had them getting dusty on top of corner cupboard forever.
They are about 5" wide.

 

https://lens.google.com/search?ep=g...ObVVVVjFlRFl4WHpJd1dFSTRlVjlKUmpKNFp3PT0iXQ==

&..... similar to your 2nd one...

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pri...r-valentine-seashell-jewelry-box-mirror-back/

 

Victorian? Hmmm..

 

See you have several little cowrie shell cameos among the ornamentation.

 

Not sure these weren't sold as souvenirs of Pensacola Beach at one point in time - 1960s-1970s. Perhaps earlier, I didn't get to go into the store until then, I was too young. Sort of looks like decorated doll house furniture. There used to be this one large shell shop that carried all sorts of shell decorated items.

 

Looks like you have a couple of pretty old examples. Popular since Victorian times. Often sold as souvenirs in coastal areas, they were also made by home hobbyists. Given the nearly identical form of your two boxes, I think yours are the former. Would have been made in a small craft industry setting. I have always thought these underrated as a collectible. They don't seem to garner much interest or have too much value.

 

Ditto-Considering what 'Sailors Valentines' go for,they're cheap.Framed Victorian Sailors Valentines are generally more elaborately crafted,but still-$65 versus 1 to 5K ?
The mysteries of the market.