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Cowrie Art

Pair of African Cowrie Fertility Idol Figures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of African (19/20th Cent) seated Cowrie fertility idol figures with a surface of small shells
Category

20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Shell, Wood, Paint

Pair of African Cowrie Fertility Idol Figures
Pair of African Cowrie Fertility Idol Figures
$22,500 / set
H 31 in W 14.25 in D 10.5 in
A Bobo ceremonial top decorated with cowrie shells
Located in Amsterdam, NL
a base made out of cotton with an outer decorated layer of cowrie shells. Provenance: - Collection
Category

Early 20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Art

Materials

Shell, Cotton

A Bobo ceremonial top decorated with cowrie shells
A Bobo ceremonial top decorated with cowrie shells
$1,083
H 18.51 in W 20.87 in D 0.79 in
Ancestral Dan Mask 'Deangle' with Cowrie Shells Large
Located in Torquay, GB
headdress of cowrie shells and raffia weave. Large domed forehead with a single scarification welt in russet
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Ancestral Dan Mask 'Deangle' with Cowrie Shells Large
Ancestral Dan Mask 'Deangle' with Cowrie Shells Large
$1,861
H 15.75 in W 9.85 in D 4.73 in
"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

Magical Barbara Antelope Mask Mirrors Seeds Cowries Mali, Africa ex Willis
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early carved wood antelope mask, with many vertical horns, applied glass mirrors, cowries and seeds
Category

Mid-20th Century Malian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

"Natty Dreads" mixed media portrait of a Black woman with cowrie shell headband
By Janice Frame
Located in Edgartown, MA
cause my creative forces to react." Janice holds a bachelors degree in fine art from Fisk University in
Category

2010s Mixed Media

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper, Resin, Mixed Media

Namji Doll with Beads, Cowries, Coins and Metal Rings, Cameroon Mid 20th century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
, in addition to metal rings, cowrie shells, bells and coins. Pair of small beads inset for eyes
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Bogolan Cowrie Shell Mud Cloth Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
desired depth of tone. This Bogolan was made with a repeating design of cowrie shells bordered by
Category

20th Century Malian Folk Art Pillows and Throws

Materials

Cotton

Bogolan Cowrie Shell Mud Cloth Textile
Bogolan Cowrie Shell Mud Cloth Textile
$248
H 81.5 in W 53 in D 0.5 in
Bogolan Cowrie Shell Mud Cloth Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
desired depth of tone. This Bogolan was made with a repeating design of cowrie shells bordered by
Category

20th Century Malian Folk Art Pillows and Throws

Materials

Cotton

Bogolan Cowrie Shell Mud Cloth Textile
Bogolan Cowrie Shell Mud Cloth Textile
$248
H 0.25 in W 78 in D 49 in
Folk Art Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Cowrie, Painted Palm & Bamboo 1950’s Sasak
Located in London, GB
Sasak Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Cowrie & Painted Palm 1950’s Handwoven and richly adorned, this
Category

Vintage 1920s Indonesian Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Other

Folk Art Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Cowrie, Painted Palm & Bamboo 1950’s Sasak
Located in London, GB
Sasak Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Cowrie & Painted Palm 1950’s Handwoven and richly adorned, this
Category

Vintage 1950s Indonesian Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Other

Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Cowrie, Painted Palm & Bamboo 1950’s
Located in London, GB
Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Sasak, Cowrie & Painted Palm 1950’s Handwoven and richly adorned
Category

Vintage 1920s Indonesian Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Other

Recent Sales

Two Yoruba Tribe twin Figures with Cowrie Cloaks, Nigeria
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Two well-loved Yoruba twin figures "ibeji" with cloaks made of cowrie shells on cloth, Nigeria
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Twin Figures with Cowrie Cloaks, Nigeria, Africa, Early 20th Century
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Two twin figures "ibeji", wearing cloaks covered with cowrie shells, Yoruba People, Nigeria, Africa
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

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 iron stand.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Textiles

Materials

Shell

Chinese Cowrie Shell Beaded Vest on Stand
Chinese Cowrie Shell Beaded Vest on Stand
H 23 in W 11.75 in D 4.75 in
"Honor My World" mixed media portrait of a woman with cowrie shells and branches
By Janice Frame
Located in Edgartown, MA
cause my creative forces to react." Janice holds a bachelors degree in fine art from Fisk University in
Category

2010s Portrait Paintings

Materials

Resin, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Handmade Paper

"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

People Also Browsed

Monk Chair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, Italy, 1974
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Presenting a singular 'Monk' chair, crafted by the esteemed Italian designer duo, Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Constructed with patinated Ash wood and adorned with thick, genuine saddle leat...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Monk Chair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, Italy, 1974
Monk Chair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, Italy, 1974
On Hold
$2,769
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 19.3 in
Japanese Tansu Storage Chest (19th Century - Edo Period) Wabi Sabi
Located in London, GB
Japanese Tansu Storage Chest (Edo Period - 19th Century). Tansu are traditional portable wooden storage chests from Japan. In Japanese traditional houses, there were no fixed chairs,...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Furniture

Materials

Wood

Single Black Opaline Table Lamp by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Black Opaline Table Lamp by Jacques Adnet. Designed and manufactured in France, circa 1940s. Black opaline spherical base with a newly fabricated linen shade. Lamp holds one E...
Category

Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Linen, Opaline Glass

Single Black Opaline Table Lamp by Jacques Adnet
Single Black Opaline Table Lamp by Jacques Adnet
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
H 22.5 in Dm 13.5 in
Handmade Ceramic Vase #606 in Olive Glaze with Olive Cotton Fringe Details
By Karen Gayle Tinney
Located in Proctorsville, VT
Vase #606 by Karen Gayle Tinney A petite vase perfectly sized to stand alone in a small space or act as a companion to a larger piece. Each vase is formed by hand, making every piec...
Category

2010s American Organic Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Cotton

Handmade Ceramic Vase #695 in Dark Green with Green Tencel Braid and Fringe
By Karen Gayle Tinney
Located in Proctorsville, VT
Vase #695 by Karen Gayle Tinney Equal parts functional and sculptural, this vase is the perfect size for a small bouquet but packs enough detail for it to stand alone as a decorativ...
Category

2010s American Organic Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Cotton

Handmade Ceramic Vase #695 in Amber Speckled Glaze with Tencel Braid and Fringe
By Karen Gayle Tinney
Located in Proctorsville, VT
Vase #695 by Karen Gayle Tinney Equal parts functional and sculptural, this vase is the perfect size for a small bouquet but packs enough detail for it to stand alone as a decorativ...
Category

2010s American Organic Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Cotton

Pair of Vintage Elephant Garden Planters Pots Stands Italian Lattice Palm Beach
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The most wonderful pair of old Italian elephant garden plant stands. I believe these are some sort of terra cotta with a glaze on top, they are heavy! The details are amazing from th...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Hollywood Regency Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Terracotta

Fabergé Silver Service
By Fabergé
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extraordinary 128-piece service by Fabergé is a rare treasure in more ways than one. Enclosed in its original oak chest, the exquisite service remains complete and in pristine c...
Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Fabergé Silver Service
Fabergé Silver Service
$248,500 / set
H 10.25 in W 20.75 in D 16.38 in
Japanese Antique Side Table Carved from a Single Block 1900s-1940s / Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese side table, believed to have been crafted in the early Showa period (1900s–1940s). It is made from zelkova wood (keyaki), known for its durability and strikin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Primitive Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Rectangle Bubble Vase in Beige Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Striking and elegant, the Rectangle Bubble Vase has a unique silhouette that brings a modern and playful feel to any space. Styled in built-ins or filled with florals, this vase is a...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Vases

Materials

Marble

Rectangle Bubble Vase in Beige Resin by Paola Valle
Rectangle Bubble Vase in Beige Resin by Paola Valle
$220 / item
H 7.88 in W 8.27 in D 4.73 in
Handmade Ceramic Vase #703 in Brown Glaze with Dark Brown Cotton Fringe Detail
By Karen Gayle Tinney
Located in Proctorsville, VT
Vase #703 by Karen Gayle Tinney Drawing on signature details from other Standard Collection pieces, this vase is an update to a traditional bottle neck silhouette. Hand formed beig...
Category

2010s American Organic Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Cotton

Handmade Ceramic Vase #504 in Satin Yellow with Marigold Cotton Braid and Fringe
By Karen Gayle Tinney
Located in Proctorsville, VT
Vase #504 by Karen Gayle Tinney A fan-favorite since its introduction in 2018, this versatile vase functions equally as a sculptural object and a vessel for flowers. Hand formed st...
Category

2010s American Organic Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Cotton

Handmade Ceramic Vase #504 in Satin White with White Cotton Braid and Fringe
By Karen Gayle Tinney
Located in Proctorsville, VT
Vase #504 by Karen Gayle Tinney A fan-favorite since its introduction in 2018, this versatile vase functions equally as a sculptural object and a vessel for flowers. Hand formed st...
Category

2010s American Organic Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Cotton

Spanish Revival Sofa Floral Tapestry Chenille Fabric Barley Twist Turned Spindle
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible vintage Spanish Revival or Mediterranean style floral tapestry chenille sofa comprised of a dark wood frame with barley twist spindle post sides, brass decorative details,...
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Spanish Colonial Sofas

Materials

Brass

A Polynesian war-club or 'Gata waka'
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Fiji, probably early 20th century Polynesian culture is traditionally a culture of power and prestige, and there was a fine line between battle and ceremony. Warrior people par exce...
Category

Early 20th Century Fijian Tribal Art

Materials

Hardwood

A Polynesian war-club or 'Gata waka'
A Polynesian war-club or 'Gata waka'
$3,612
H 35.83 in W 7.09 in D 1.78 in
Warren Platner for Knoll Nickel Wire Dining Table
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in New York, NY
Warren Platner polished nickel dining table base by Knoll. Includes non-original 60 inch wide clear tempered glass top— last photo shows actual table with glass top. Circa 1990-200...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Tables

Materials

Nickel

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Cowrie Art For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the piece of cowrie art you’re looking for. Was constructed with extraordinary care, often using shell, wood and fabric. If you’re shopping for an item from our selection of cowrie art, we have 15 options in-stock, while there are 1 modern editions to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the choice in our collection of cowrie art you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. An object in our assortment of cowrie art is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in folk art styles are sought with frequency. Naga People and Phaidon each produced at least one beautiful option in this array of cowrie art that is worth considering.

How Much is a Cowrie Art?

A piece of cowrie art can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,550, while the lowest priced sells for $293 and the highest can go for as much as $22,500.