Shell Collectibles and Curiosities

Naturalistically crafted objects in the form of mushrooms and fruits, mostly signed. Executed in ivory using the Shibayama-zaiku technique, incorporating coral, mother-of-pearl, gems...

Very well precision made mid 20th century opera glasses manufactured in Japan (marked); they are still very operable today and working very well. Although categorized as "opera glass...

Vintage Sharptail Grouse game bird taxidermy mount on driftwood base. Dimensions: 17" x 6" x 10.5" (Width x Depth x Height)

Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury French Opera Glasses with fancy lorgnette style handle and metal mounts. Premium mother of pearl and only th...

Beautiful complete natural specimen, Tridacna Gigantas / Giant Clam shell / fossil featuring matching top and bottom halves. White in color. Seven folds. N...

Mother-of-Pearl and Gilded Brass Game Counters 18th Century This exceptional set of 18th-century gaming markers from Dresden exemplifies the pinnacle of luxury and refinement in lei...

This is a large, 22 inch, gorgeous Natural Giant Clam Shell specimen from the South Pacific seas showcasing deeply scalloped edges, exceptional details and a luminous, calcified surf...

Giant natural clam shell.

This is a large, 18 inch, gorgeous Natural Clam Shell specimen from the South Pacific seas showcasing deeply scalloped edges, exceptional details and a luminous, calcified surface. ...

Ultra Rare 1930s Art Deco Eggshell Black Enamel Silver Inlay Cigarette Case: Exquisite High Deco Design This Ultra Rare 1930s Art Deco Eggshell Black Enamel and Silver Inlay C...

A superb pair of late 19th century Palais Royal Shibayama opera glasses in mother of pearl. Wonderfully decorated with exotic pheasants, peony and bamboo. The Shibayama technique was...

A stunning set of opera or theatre glasses in original leather case. By Colmont FT Paris France, Circa 1890s Gorgeous Mother-of-pearl and abalone inset on brass cylindrical body w...

Authentic giant clam shell specimen with its iconic sculptural form and sea inspired colors and textures.

Ancient Bulgarian Belt Buckle in silvered metal encrusted with mother-of-pearl reliefs, realized in 19th Century. Excellent condition.

Striking 1920s Art Deco Black Enamel and Red Lacquer Cigarette Case This striking 1920s Art Deco cigarette case epitomizes the sleek sophistication of the Jazz Age. Its bold geometr...

Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...

Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...

Fabulous round natural conch shell for tabletop decor. Great addition to your boho chic inspired interiors and table tops.

A striking pen or matchstick holder crafted from a natural sea urchin shell, its distinctive patterned exoskeleton preserved in warm tones of rust, cream, and ivory, and fitted with ...

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an elegant Gold design and ...

This is a large, 15.5 inch, gorgeous Natural Clam Shell specimen from the South Pacific seas showcasing deeply scalloped edges, exceptional details and a luminous, calcified surface....

Scotch Bonnet fully silvered 4". Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered she...

Fabulous vintage mother-of-pearl and brass opera glasses made by Chevalier in Paris, circa 1960s. Complete functional glasses that are in good condition and measure 4" x 2.5". Si...

Strombus pugilis fully silvered shell. Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered shells. Our workshop has b...

AUTHOR: Dance Card Notebook. TITLE: 19th C. Palais-Royal Work Mother of Pearl & Gilded Bronze Dance Card Notebook. PUBLISHER: France, c.1800's. DESCRIPTION: 1 vol., 3-3/4" x 2-1/...

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearlwith Gold twisted swirl that leads into an...

A fine pair of steel knives with single edged curved blade mother of pearl and brass inlaid handles, and a hard stone butt we believe to be nephrite. Age related wear and abrasions...

Embrace the allure of natural history with this authentic vintage turtle shell specimen. A quintessential piece for the "Cabinet of Curiosities" aesthetic, this carapace showcases th...

Marlinspike fully silvered shell 7". Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered shells. Our workshop has bee...

Vintage natures beauty marine specimen sea shell on urchin stand.

This piece has a great story. We found this jazz musical instrument with incredible patina and added a thick lucite base and reconstructed this into a one of kind sculpture. The deta...

A Rare and Important Renaissance "Judaica" Carved Oak Wood Cabinet, circa 1680 We are pleased to present a rare and important Renaissance Judaica c...

Large South Pacific Tridacna Gigas Clam shell The shell is in very good condition and with a beautiful pink tint.  

Darkly playful and meticulously crafted, Alexandra Llewellyn’s Skull Marquetry Poker Set is a bold meditation on risk, luck and the high stakes of ...

Antique Victorian Chinese export black lacquered wood and abalone shell inlaid folding games box, backgammon, chess and checkers game. The fine antique Chinese game board in black lacquered wood and abalone inlays, decorated with architecture, chinoiserie scenes of animals, figures, boats and landscape on the outside, medallions of floral design on the inside. Handcrafted Chinese black lacquered folding game set box with the exterior designed as chess board the interior as a backgammon board, both boards inlaid intricately carved and etched abalone shell. Dimensions: Length: 25” Width (folded): 11.25” Height: 3” Dimensions: unfolded: 22.75" x 27 x 1.5". Circa 1920s, this great game set remains in good vintage condition. There is no game pieces included just the box. Collectible fine antique Asian game set...

A refined and elegant pair of late 19th century French opera glasses, crafted by the esteemed maker Lefils Paris. Exquisitely detailed in bronze doré and inlaid with glowing mother o...

Superb pair of marine taxidermy assemblage - sea shells and urchins on brass embossed candlesticks.

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Jade, Mother-Of-Pearl and Smoky Quartz, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt, rock-crystal, jade, obsidian, mother-of-pearl, and smoky quartz carved jeweled sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1991. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved smoky -quartz and jade horse with a harness mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst chains and pendants. The top columns adorned with 18k gold and brilliant cut diamond pendants, the bottom with gold and mother of pearl plaques. The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / N° 05 / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5003 D The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10.5" high x 8.5" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...

Lister's conch fully silvered shell 5". Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered shells. Our workshop has ...

A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...

A pair of emptied ostrich eggs with their turned solid oak bases, dating back to the 19th century and originating from a cabinet of curiosities, Ostrich eggs are particularly impres...

Infuse your space with the majestic allure of the ocean with this Vintage Coastal Monumental Tridacna Gigas Clam Shell. Perfect for American-style interiors, this stunning piece feat...

Chinoiserie pagoda. Very decorative Italian painted plaster and wood three-tiered pagoda alla Mongiardino emanating from marine inspired grotto base with four masks issuing water in...

Marine coastal taxidermy assemblage of sea shells and corals, sea sponges and brunches of sea whip with large horseshoe taxidermy.In a lucite basket decorated with sea shells.

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an elegant Gold design and ...

20th Century chinese Zhongzheng/Chengren military commemorative short sword and scabbard gifted by Chiang Kai-shek By: unknown Material: iron, metal, paint, bronze, copper, wood, sh...

Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...

Antique 19th Century French gold mounted on mother of pearl, extensive traveling etui set, of elongated octagonal form, the gold mounted with polished mother of pearl panels and the lid applied with cast and enamelled floral decoration, the lid opens with a push-button. Inside enclosing the original gold and steel implements:, scissors, pen knife...

50 years of trading antiques have given us tremendous experience to help you choose the ideal piece for your interior, and in our showrooms you will find all of the classic styles of...

Wildly luxurious, Alexandra Llewellyn’s Jungle Marquetry Poker Set brings the rainforest to the card table. Inlaid with over 1,000 pieces of sustai...

This authentic tribal shaman’s medical bag, known as a Bilum bag, originates from Papua New Guinea and dates back to circa 1900. Traditionally used by shamans for carrying medicinal ...

A large Holy Land mother-of-pearl, abalone shell and olive wood icon Jerusalem, early 20th century Icon: height 55.5cm, width 52cm, depth 18cm Case: height 15.5cm, width 61.5cm, depth 57.5cm In fitted case, presented by the President of the Senate...

Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...

3-715 Beautiful sea life diorama including sea shells various crustaceans ,seahorse starfish encased in a walnut frame under glass. Brass hanging ring

Rare marked mid century natural Queen Conch sea shell (Aliger gigas) souvenir from Marine Arena Johns Pass Florida. Off white with a slight flush of coral-pink. Nautical, Maritime, ...

ABOUT A vintage wooden mask constructed with wild boar tusks, shells, feathers and twin. Used in funeral ceremonials on the island of New Ireland, New Guinea.

Vintage folk art handmade pair of Christmas Trees sea shell encrusted with all natural preselected Florida sea shells. Small sea stars on top.

Bring the sophisticated serenity of the seaside into your home with this exquisite vintage shell-encrusted sculpture. Reminiscent of Victorian "grotto" art yet thoroughly modern in i...

A rare and authentic Edo period (1603–1868) horagai—a conch shell trumpet traditionally used in Japanese Buddhist rituals, Shugendō mountain ascetic practices, and by yamabushi (moun...

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an elegant Gold design and ...