Humanities and Arts
Objects of Affection- Materialising Courtship Love and Sex in Ireland C.1800-1830
Leanne Calvert
Leanne Calvert
School of Humanities, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AB UK
Abstract
This article uses a collection of mementos curated by Robert James Tennent, a middle-class man to interrogate how objects materialised love and sex in Ireland. It problematises readings of courtship tokens as simple objects of affection, and considers how individuals engaged in culturally-sanctioned courtship practices in extra-licit ways. Gifts and tokens took on new meanings when they were accessioned into the personal archives of their owners and catalogued as mementos of past relationships. Read as a collection of courtship mementos and a homemade pornographic archive, this article argues that the collection provides an unique insight into the curation of sexual memory.
Key Questions
What is the central focus of the study on courtship mementos in Ireland?
The study focuses on a collection of courtship mementos curated by Robert James Tennent, a middle-class man in early 19th-century Ireland. It examines how these objects materialized love, sex, and courtship, challenging simplistic interpretations of such tokens as mere symbols of affection.
How does the study reinterpret courtship tokens and gifts?
The study argues that courtship tokens and gifts took on new meanings when they were incorporated into personal archives. These objects were not just symbols of affection but also served as curated mementos of past relationships, reflecting the complex interplay between culturally-sanctioned courtship practices and extra-licit behaviors.
What unique insights does Robert James Tennent’s collection provide?
Tennent’s collection offers a unique window into the curation of sexual memory and the material culture of courtship. The study interprets the collection as both a set of courtship mementos and a homemade pornographic archive, revealing how individuals navigated and documented their intimate lives in early 19th-century Ireland.
How does the study address the concept of "extra-licit" courtship practices?
The study explores how individuals engaged in courtship practices that went beyond socially accepted norms. By analyzing Tennent’s collection, it highlights how gifts and tokens could be used to express desires and behaviors that were not fully sanctioned by the cultural and moral frameworks of the time.
What role does the curation of sexual memory play in the study?
The study emphasizes the importance of sexual memory in understanding intimate relationships. Tennent’s collection is seen as a deliberate effort to curate and preserve memories of past romantic and sexual encounters, offering insights into how individuals constructed and remembered their personal histories.
What are the broader implications of the study for understanding 19th-century Irish society?
The study sheds light on the complexities of courtship, love, and sexuality in early 19th-century Ireland. By examining the material culture of courtship, it reveals how individuals negotiated societal norms and expressed intimacy, providing a richer understanding of the private lives and emotional landscapes of the time.
