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Rare Truly Giant Clam Shell, Tridacna Gigas
Located in Essex, MA
A rare, truly giant clam shell, Tridacna Gigas, one of the largest and finest specimens we have
Category

20th Century Australian Decorative Objects

Rare coco de mer shell form Box
Located in New York, NY
This amazing object comes from the Seychelle islands. It is the only place in the world where they can be found. It was made into a box in the 1930's and came from a great Paris estate.
Category

Vintage 1930s Seychellois Decorative Boxes

Rare Early 19thC English Shell-Work Figure of China Man in the Manner Arcimboldo
By Giuseppe Arcimboldo
Located in Bedford, Bedfordshire
The rare and beautifully worked figure of a Chinese man intricately constructed entirely of exotic
Category

Antique Early 1800s English George III Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Shell

Shell Lidded Box
Located in Richmond, VA
Rare, beautiful shell hinge-lidded wood box attributed to Alexandre Noll. A true objet d'art. Ca
Category

Vintage 1940s Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Shell, Wood

Rare Charles Eames Sunshine Yellow "DAR" Arm Shells
Located in Berkeley, CA
Rare set of 4 sunshine yellow arm shells with original black eiffel bases designed by Charles Eames
Category

Vintage 1960s Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Rare Pair of Early 19th Century Shell Pictures
Located in Peterborough, Northamptonshire
A rare pair of early 19th century shell pictures. Italian. One titled "Veduta Del Tre Tempio Di
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Paintings

Materials

Wood

Rare Napoleonic Tortoise Shell Spectacles Case with Specs
Located in San Marcos, CA
A wonderful early Victorian era set of sterling silver spectacles in their original tortoise shell
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Georgian Jewelry

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rare French Tortoise Shell Portrait Miniature Snuff Box
Located in San Marcos, CA
possible for me to ascertain the artist, nor the sitter. The painting is exceptionally fine, rare to find
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Georgian Jewelry

Materials

14k Gold

Wooden Shell Ashtray
Located in Richmond, VA
Rare, beautiful shell ashtray or catchall on wooden base with three nautilus shell holders.
Category

20th Century Modern Ashtrays

Materials

Shell, Wood

Shell Wooden Box
By Alexandre Noll
Located in Richmond, VA
Rare, beautiful shell hinge-lidded wood box and catchall or ashtray in the style of Alexandre Noll
Category

20th Century Decorative Boxes

Materials

Shell, Wood

Rare Pair of Shell Shaped Lamps from by Rougier
By Roger Rougier
Located in Water Mill, NY
Fabulous and rare pair of acrylic shell shaped lamps by Rougier (Canada). The lamps are on acrylic
Category

Vintage 1970s Canadian Table Lamps

Rare Alexander McQueen Plexi Tortoise Shell Bee Choker Necklace
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Montgomery, TX
Rare Alexander McQueen Plexi Tortoise Shell Bee Choker Collector's item! Circumference is 10
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Choker Necklaces

Rare Pair of Dirk Van Erp Shell Casing Vases
By Dirk Van Erp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Pair of Dirk Van Erp Shell Casing Vases with original patina. Surface treatments range from
Category

20th Century American Vases and Vessels

A very rare Victorian novelty silver mussel shell vinaigrette
Located in London, GB
A very rare Victorian novelty silver vinaigrette, naturalistically modelled in the form of a mussel
Category

Antique 1870s Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Monumental Tortoise Shell
Located in Hudson, NY
a stunning and rare antique monumental tortoise shell, in its original finish.
Category

Early 20th Century French Animal Sculptures

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Rare Pair of Murano Iridescent Shell Sculptures by Ercole Barovier
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A rare pair of iridescent shells designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier and Toso. Rare and
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

A Rare Black Marble and Shell Veneered Coffee Table 1970s
Located in London, GB
A Rare Black Marble and Shell Veneered Coffee Table attributed to Maitland Smith 1970s
Category

Vintage 1970s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Shell box by Alexandre Noll
By Alexandre Noll
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive and rare box shell in acajou and Oyster shell from Thaiti. Signed.
Category

Vintage 1960s French Decorative Boxes

Materials

Shell

Pair of 18th c. Very Rare Wood Base Shell Decorations
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare Peach Colored Floating Shell with Gold Highlights by Ercole Barovier
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Rare floating shell designed by Ercole Barovier for Barovier and Toso.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

A Rare Pair of Pearlescent Shell Lamps by Rougier late 1970s
By Roger Rougier
Located in London, GB
A Rare Pair of Pearlescent Shell Lamps by Rougier Canada late 1970s
Category

Vintage 1970s Canadian Table Lamps

Rare Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso Mezza Filligrana Footed Murano Shell
By Dino Martens
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Rare 1950s Mezza Filligrana footed shell by Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso.
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

Rare DSX in Parchment Shell Chair by Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Chicago, IL
All original condition. Rare DSX example. Parchment color fiberglass shell on black X-base with
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Very Rare Pair of Regency Period Shell Displays Under Glass Dome
Located in Wiltshire, GB
A very rare pair of Regency period shell displays under glass domes. These displays were probably
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English More Furniture and Collectibles

Pair/ 18th c.Very Rare Wood Base Shell Decorations(ref#AX131)
Located in San Francisco, CA
Sponge and shells assembled in a visual fantasy mounted on old candlestick bases.
Category

Antique 19th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Rare Coco De Mer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rare and wonderful coco de mer from the Sechelle Islands
Category

20th Century Decorative Objects

Materials

Shell

Rare Fiberglass Shell Wall Scone by Andre Cazenave for Atelier A
By Andre Cazenave, Atelier A
Located in Frankfurt / Dreieich, DE
Fiberglass Wall Sconce by Andre Cazenave for Atelier A, France. 1960. Very good Condition! Express shipping is worldwide possible. Please ask us.
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Pair of Rare Ib Kofod-Larsen Extended Leg Shell Chairs and Ottoman
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Amherst, NH
Pair of rare 1950s Ib Kofod-Larsen extended iron leg walnut shell chairs with one matching ottoman
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

Rare Early Derby Blue and White Shell Sweetmeat Dish on Original Stand
Located in London, GB
Some chipping to edges of shells
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Ceramics

Rare Eames Herman Miller Kelly Green Arm Shell Chair on Rocker Base
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
Super clean vintage arm shell on newer production rocking base.  
Category

Vintage 1960s Rocking Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Original Rare Eames Grey Side Shell on Prototype H-Base with Casters
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
Elephant hyde grey side shell chair on original prototype H-base with casters this came out of
Category

Vintage 1950s Side Chairs

Shell Bird
Located in So. Egremont, MA
A large natural shell becomes a rare bird.Signed "Binazzi Foresto, Firenze" Stands on its own. A
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Centerpieces

Materials

Brass, Metal

Very Rare Trifari Lucite and Rhinestones Jelly Belly Shells Set 1940 s
By Trifari
Located in Austin, TX
​Year: 1940 Hallmark: Trifari​ Dimensions: brooch H 1.37 in, earrings H 0.78 in Materials: base metal, lucite, rhinestones
Category

Vintage 1940s Brooches

Materials

Base Metal

A Rare Pair of George II Eagle and Shell Carved Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Woodbury, CT
A rare pair of walnut shell and eagle carved side chairs with petit pointe needlepoint seat covers
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier British George II Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Pair of "Green Turban" Shell Desk lamps
Located in Miami, FL
Very rare "Green Turban" Shell desk lamps,very romantic with a soft glow that only Mother Nature
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Table Lamps

Materials

Shell

Rare Model 5610 Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri D Arte Murano Shell, circa 1942
By Flavio Poli
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Rare and seldom seen model 5610 Murano shell designed by Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri D'Arte.
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

Rare Model 8554 Flavio Poli for Seguso Vetri D Arte Snail and Shell Sculpture
By Flavio Poli
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Very rare, seldom seen model 8554 Seguso Vetri D'Arte shell and snail sculpture. Do not miss your
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

A Rare Cocktail Table in Faux Tortoise Shell and Gilt Brass by Maison Jansen
By Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
A rare and grand scaled square cocktail table featuring a frame in gilt brass with a floating top
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Chanel Rare Vintage Gold Shell Charm Double Strand Link Multi Pearl Waist Belt
By Chanel
Located in Chicago, IL
CURATOR'S NOTES Metal Gold tone Faux pearl Hook closure Made in France Width 0.5" Total length 37.5"
Category

Late 20th Century French Belts

Giant Whole Clam Shell
Located in Essex, MA
A giant whole clam shell, rare to have both halves of a single clam.
Category

20th Century Decorative Objects

Shell Salt Dish Set
Located in Richmond, VA
Rare, vintage pewter shell salt dish set of four with spoons. Stamped Metzke. Dish measures 1.25
Category

20th Century Serving Pieces

Materials

Pewter

Rare Red Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, United Kingdom
Extremely rare octagonal Red Tortoiseshell Tea caddy with Bone edging, silver escutcheon. The
Category

Antique 18th Century British George III More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Silver

Rare vintage Hawaiian coconut figures
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
What can only be a rare pair of labeled Hawaiian dolls ? I hesitate to call them dolls , they are
Category

20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Shell, Hemp, Wood, Paint

Rare Inlaid Crocodile Head from Papua New Guinea
Located in Long Island City, NY
Large Ceremonial Crocodile Head Inlaid with Wood, Shells, and Cowerie Shells
Category

Antique 19th Century Papua New Guinean Decorative Objects

Materials

Shell, Wood

Very Rare Antique Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Dallas, TX
Very Rare Antique English Victorian Blonde Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with gorgeous shape & griffin on
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Tea Caddies

Materials

Pewter

Rare Large 1960s Seashells Wall Sculpture
Located in L Escala, ES
Beautiful and rare seashells wall sculpture, on wood. Very good vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Natural Specimens

Materials

Shell, Wood

Large Victorian Silver Shell Dish
By Benjamin Smith II
Located in London, GB
A rare Victorian sterling silver shell by Benjamin Smith, London 1839 with an acanthus leaf
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Silver

Rare Pair of Octagonal Tortoiseshell Tea Caddies
Located in New York, NY
A rare pair of octagonal tortoiseshell and ivory tea caddies Containing lidded compartments, each
Category

Antique 19th Century English Tea Sets

Materials

Brass

Decorative Collection of Sea Shells
Located in Glamis, Angus
A lovely rare collection of decorative sea shells and other items to include Sea Urchins, Black
Category

Vintage 1950s British Decorative Objects

Rare 19th Century Inlaid Ceylonese Tortoise Box
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A rare mid-19th century (circa 1840) Ceylonese inlaid box with hinged tortoise lid and marquetry
Category

Antique 19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Rare And Unusual Gabriella Crespi Turtle Box
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in New York, NY
or expensive to make. The Turtle shell is real and the body is nickel plated bronze. It weighs a ton
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Rare 18th Century Spanish Colonial Escritorio
Located in San Francisco, CA
A magnificent 18th century Spanish colonial 'escritorio' (writing desk) from Columbia with finely crafted bone and mother of pearl inlay, hand etched sgraffito and original hand forg...
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Colombian Boxes

Materials

Wood, Shell, Bone

VINTAGE CHANEL SHELL MOTIF DANGLING EARRINGS
By Chanel
Located in Chicago, IL
Extremely rare vintage Chanel shell earrings with long dangling pearls. Signed Chanel.
Category

Late 20th Century French Dangle Earrings

Charles Eames Alexander Girard Arm Shell
Located in Berkeley, CA
Charles Eames for Herman Miller arm shell, rare black & white Alexander Girard checker fabric on a
Category

Vintage 1960s Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Vintage 1950s Eames DAR Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A true design Classic. The DAR chair by Eames for Herman Miller. Rare “raw umber” colored
Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

A Very Rare 17th Century Coral Crucifix
Located in Nice, Cote d Azur
This very luxurious work is from Trapani in Sicilia. The Christ is in coral on a Cross in tortoiseshell. the stand is in gilded brass ,silver and coral .
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Baroque Religious Items

Materials

Coral, Silver, Brass

Rare Georgian Piqué Inlay Tea Caddy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Magnificently inlaid petite florals adorn this exquisitely fashioned 200 years old caddy. This is an unusual form with scalloped front. Original interior lids.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Tea Caddies

Materials

Tortoise Shell, Velvet, Wood, Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl

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Rare Shells For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of rare shells is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique rare shells was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, bone and tortoise shell. Rare shells have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of rare shells to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Art Deco rare shells are of considerable interest. Binazzi, Charles Eames and Tiffany Co. each produced beautiful rare shells that are worth considering.

How Much are Rare Shells?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $3,059, while they’re typically $109 on the low end and $347,629 highest priced.