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Georgian Sterling Silver-Mounted Cowrie Shell with Hinged Lid Snuff Box
Located in New York, NY
Georgian, sterling silver-mounted Cowrie shell snuff box with hinged lid, London, 1815. Measures: 3
Category
Antique 19th Century British Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Naga Warrior
s Dao with Cowrie Shell Belt Holder
Located in Chicago, IL
decorative work including dyed red hair and cowrie shells arranged in a head-hunting pattern made to look
Category
20th Century Indian Tribal Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Metal
Custom Sculptural Albino Sea Urchin Spine Shell Mirror Trimmed in Cowrie Shells
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
spines for a sculptural, organic coastal aesthetic.
The inner trim features polished cowrie shells
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Wall Mirrors
Materials
Shell, Mirror
LB offers Large Spotted Tiger Cowrie Shell pendant Bone Brass Glass necklace
By Lorraines
Bijoux
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Lorraine’s Bijoux offers a Large Spotted Tiger Cowrie shell from Tibet with brass Repousse work
Category
2010s Tibetan Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Brass
Rare George III Silver Mounted Cowrie Shell Caddy Spoon by Matthew Linwood
Located in London, GB
The bowl of the Caddy Spoon is formed as a beautifully shaded natural Cowrie Shell. The shell bowl
Category
Antique Early 1800s English More Dining and Entertaining
A rare George III silver mounted Cowrie Shell Snuff Box made in Birmingham in 18
Located in London, GB
The beautifully shaded Cowrie shell displays plain silver mounts and the hinged cover is engraved
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Tobacco Accessories
Chinese Cowrie Shell Beaded Vest on Stand
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1920s Chinese vest of woven fiber is beaded with cowry shells and mounted on a custom made
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Textiles
Materials
Shell
"Natty Dreads" mixed media portrait of a Black woman with cowrie shell headband
By Janice Frame
Located in Edgartown, MA
"As an African-American artist in today’s world, I embody the vast differences found in our collective backgrounds. I view them as cultural assets. We are always self discovering and...
Category
2010s Mixed Media
Materials
Acrylic, Handmade Paper, Resin, Mixed Media
"Honor My World" mixed media portrait of a woman with cowrie shells and branches
By Janice Frame
Located in Edgartown, MA
"As an African-American artist in today’s world, I embody the vast differences found in our collective backgrounds. I view them as cultural assets. We are always self discovering and...
Category
2010s Portrait Paintings
Materials
Resin, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Handmade Paper
Decorative Tribal Necklace with Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Three layers of large white cowrie shells handwoven on natural fiber hemp on a long pendant
Category
20th Century Pacific Islands Tribal Collectible Jewelry
Materials
Natural Fiber, Shell
Verdura Midcentury Gold and Shell Turtle Clip Brooch
By Verdura
Located in New York, NY
A mid-century engraved gold and cowrie shell brooch in the form of a turtle with ruby eyes, in 14k
Category
Vintage 1950s Retro Brooches
Materials
Ruby, 14k Gold
2nd Part 19th Century Tibetan Beaded Garment with Semi-Precious Stones
Located in Esbeek, NL
2nd part 19th century Tibetan beaded garment with turquoise, amber, cowrie shell on metal pedestal
Category
Antique 19th Century Chinese Textiles
Materials
Precious Stone, Beads
Papua New Guinea Sepik Carved Wood Sculpture
Located in Astoria, NY
Papua New Guinea Sepik River Carved and Polychrome Painted Wood Sculpture, with cowrie shells and
Category
20th Century Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Papua New Guinea Sepik Painted Wood Mask
Located in Astoria, NY
Papua New Guinea Sepik River Painted Wood Mask, with feather border and cowrie shells to nose. 31.5
Category
20th Century Tribal Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
A Lace Coral Box with Purple Coral Finial
By FS Henemader Antiques, Inc.
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A large and impressive white lace coral box with cowrie shells, finger coral and purple coral
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Boxes
Long Vanjari Cushion
Located in Houston, TX
vintage hemp textile. Decorated in cowrie shells with a zip fastening and feather insert.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Tribal Pillows and Throws
Materials
Shell, Textile, Cotton, Hemp
Papua New Guinea Sepik Painted Carved Wood Mask
Located in Astoria, NY
Papua New Guinea Sepik River Polychrome Painted Carved Wood Mask, with feather border and cowrie
Category
20th Century Tribal Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Massive Multicolored Gemstone and Shell Ear Clips
Located in Cincinnati, OH
/4" x 3/4" purple-topped tiger cowrie shell surrounded by mixed cut amethysts, peridot, tourmaline
Category
Vintage 1960s American Clip-on Earrings
Materials
Amethyst, Peridot, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
By Kuba
Located in Chicago, IL
with cowrie shells and dotted with colorful beads. Secured to the head by a metal pin, such caps were
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Mounted Objects
Materials
Shell, Fabric
Two Vanjari Cushions
Located in Houston, TX
a vintage hemp textile. Decorated in cowrie shells with zip fastenings and feather inserts. Sold
Category
2010s American Tribal Pillows and Throws
Materials
Shell, Textile, Cotton, Hemp
$480 / item
Talisman Mask, Papua New Guinea
Located in Wilton, CT
-1960s and in very good condition, with age appropriate wear. Cowrie shell eyes.
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Tibetan Turquoise and Carnelian Breastplate from the Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
of turquoise, coral, pearls
multicolored glass, carnelian, shells and cowrie shells.
Measures: 4
Category
Early 20th Century Mounted Objects
Materials
Carnelian
Sepik Carved Polychromed Wood Figure Sculpture
Located in Astoria, NY
man with inset cowrie shell eyes. 33" H x 9" W x 10" D approx.
Category
20th Century Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Kuba Laket Prestige Cap
By Kuba
Located in Chicago, IL
with cowrie shells and dotted with blue and white beads. Secured to the head by a metal pin, such caps
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Mounted Objects
Materials
Shell, Fabric
Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
By Kuba
Located in Chicago, IL
embellished with a pattern of cowrie shells and colorful beads. Secured to the head by a metal pin, such caps
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Mounted Objects
Materials
Shell, Fabric
Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
By Kuba
Located in Chicago, IL
embellished with a pattern of cowrie shells and colorful beads. Secured to the head by a metal pin, such caps
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Mounted Objects
Materials
Shell, Fabric
Sumatran Beaded Boxes, Group of 9
Located in Astoria, NY
Benkulu and Lampung in South Sumatra, Indonesia, each with geometric beading and cowrie shell decoration
Category
20th Century Tribal Decorative Boxes
Materials
Shell, Beads
A Kuba Dance Cloth Textile Wall Hanging
Located in Greenwich, CT
coconuts, the dye handmade from indigo, detailing with real cowrie shells stitched in a decorative design
Category
20th Century African Decorative Art
Materials
Shell
Oceanic Hand-Carved Wood Bird Sculpture
Located in Astoria, NY
hornbill bird, with inset cowrie shell eyes and mounted with feathers to crown.
Dimensions: 26" H x 7" W x
Category
Mid-20th Century International Style Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Native American Warrior Cape
Located in Asheville, NC
earth toned textiles, cowrie shells, horse hair, multiple types of irradescent feathers, woven bands of
Category
Antique 1840s American Native American Tribal Art
$15,000
Anthony Redmile Console Table
Located in New York, NY
straight back legs. The cabriole form front legs and frame covered with cowrie shells and having signature
Category
Vintage 1970s British Console Tables
Materials
Stone
Early to mid-20th Century Karaut Pectoral, Abelam Culture, Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Karaut pectoral, Southern Abelam people, Papua New Guinea
Fiber, boar's tusks, nassa and cowrie
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Shell, Natural Fiber
20th Century Kuba Man
s Hat, from D.R.Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
in D.R.Congo.
Over a base of raffia, decorated with glass beads, copper, cowrie shells and barkcloth
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
The Queen, mixed media assemblage, found object collage, girl, gold lace, flower
By Danielle Scott
Located in Jersey City, NJ
and is adorned with cowrie shells and gold lace. She sits in front of pink, purple and gold pattern
Category
2010s Contemporary Mixed Media
Materials
Resin, Paper, Found Objects
Yoruba Beaded Sash
Located in Chicago, IL
- bordered by cowrie shells indicating wealth and status. Displaying exquisite craftsmanship, this Yoruba
Category
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Art
Materials
Shell, Fabric, Beads
$1,480
Yoruba House Of Head Shrine
Located in Wainscott, NY
covered in Cowrie shells which were the traditional Yoruba currency. Because the shells are associated
Category
Antique 19th Century Nigerian Tribal Art
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Glass
Bilton Enamel Patch Box, This Box I Intend a Gift for My Friend, circa 1775
By Bilston Battersea
Located in Downingtown, PA
imitating a cowrie shell with white reserve edged with white raised 'pearls' and bearing a verse-This Box I
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Mid 20th Century African Kuba Helmet Tribal Mask Shells, Animal Fibres, Raffia
Located in Nottingham, GB
, featuring a combination of materials such as wood, beads, shells, cowrie shells, fibers, and sometimes even
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Art
Materials
Shell, Raffia
Old Kuba Mukenga Helmet Mask
Located in Rochester, NY
with cowrie shells, fine red white black brown bead work, coral glass beads, turquoise glass beads
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Beads
Set of Three Fali Ham Pilu Fertility Dolls
Located in Chicago, IL
rich displays of strung glass beads and cowrie shells, and topped with beaded thread resembling hair
Category
Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Primitive Mounted Objects
Materials
Shell, Wood, Beads
Anthony Redmile Shell Encrusted Center Table Signed
By Anthony Redmile London
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
1940. This masterpiece boasts a surface adorned with a stunning assortment of molluscan and cowrie
Category
Vintage 1970s English Hollywood Regency Center Tables
Materials
Amethyst, Metal
Simone Leigh Premye Limited Edition Print
By Phaidon
Located in New York, NY
-like sculpture, which she executed in 2011. The cowrie shell has historically carried monetary
Category
2010s American Prints
Materials
Paper
$400 / item
Le Soir Illustre Mai 1949 to Le Soir Illustre August 1949 French Magazines Paris
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
totshi
wood, fibre, cowrie shells
Height 72 cm
Provenance
Gustave E. De
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Books
Materials
Paper
Composition with Two Shells - Original Still Life Oil Painting on Panel
By Helen Oh
Located in Chicago, IL
The simplicity of "Composition with Two Shells" is deceptive. The left cowrie shell is a specimen
Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
19th Century Porcelain Plaque "Madonna Della Sedia" Florentine Frame
Located in London, GB
, come from the old Italian porcellana (cowrie shell) because of its resemblance to the translucent
Category
Antique 1860s Italian Paintings
Materials
Porcelain, Giltwood
Contemporary American Modern Conch and Cowrie Seashell Jewelry Box
Located in Queens, NY
conch and cowrie seashells, which opens to a teal velvet interior.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Coral
Inseparable
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
cultural heritage. The necklace on the neck is adorned with cowrie shells, and other ornaments, which
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Natural Shell Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
chandelier handcrafted with beautiful natural abalone, cowries’ and glossy snail shells in creamy white and
Category
20th Century Chandeliers and Pendants
$5,550
Pukeberg Sweden Cowrie Shell Knife Rests
By Pukeberg Sweden
Located in Riverdale, NY
Charming Pukeberg Sweden Cowrie Shell Cardholders/Knife rests with original boxes. There are now 10
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Glass
Materials
Blown Glass
Boho Fringed Leather Shoulderbag W/ Cowrie Shell Snakeskin Embellishment
Located in Gresham, OR
snakeskin and cowrie shells on front flap. Snap closure. Made by SPELL.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Shoulder Bags
Large Scale Early 20th Century Cowrie Shell Necklace from Papua New Guinea
Located in London, GB
A rare early 20th century cowrie shell necklace made with unusually large and brilliant white
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Mounted Objects
Materials
Shell, Wicker
Antique Vintage Satinwood Mahogany Jewellery Casket Table Box Cowrie Shells
Located in Dublin, Ireland
four large Cowrie Shells from the Nineteenth Century
The well figured satinwood square formed
Category
20th Century English Edwardian Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
George III Sterling Silver-Mounted Cowrie Shell Snuff Box with Hinged Lid
Located in New York, NY
George III, sterling silver-mounted (unmarked, but tested) helmet cowrie shell snuff box with
Category
Antique 1790s Scottish George III Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
"Cowrie Shell" (2024) By Tony Hochstetler, Original Bronze Sculpture
Located in Denver, CO
Tony Hochstetler's "Cowrie Shell" (2015) is an original handmade bronze sculpture that depicts the
Category
2010s Realist Still-life Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Headdress from Papua New Guinea Made from Cowrie Shells and Red Seeds, Mounted
Located in New York, NY
Headdress from Papua New Guinea made from cowrie shells and red seeds applied to traditional
Category
2010s Papua New Guinean Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beads, Natural Fiber, Shell
1990 AZZEDINE ALAIA black leather runway belt with cowrie shells
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare black leather belt with cowrie seashells and silver hardware from Azzedine Alaia dating
Category
1990s French Belts
1990 AZZEDINE ALAIA olive green leather RUNWAY belt with cowrie shells
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare, olive-green leather belt with cowrie seashells and brass hardware from Azzedine Alaia
Category
1990s French Belts
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Cowrie Shell For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic cowrie shell available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of shell, wood and fabric, every cowrie shell was constructed with great care. There are 93 variations of the antique or vintage cowrie shell you’re looking for, while we also have 24 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect cowrie shell — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A cowrie shell made by Scandinavian Modern designers — as well as those associated with Georgian — is very popular. A well-made cowrie shell has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Made in Ratio, Shellman Scandinavia and antique textiles galleries are consistently popular.
How Much is a Cowrie Shell?
Prices for a cowrie shell start at $120 and top out at $98,000 with the average selling for $1,480.
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