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Cowrie Shells Beaded

African Yoruba Cowrie Shell, Beaded Fertility Doll, 20th Century
African Yoruba Cowrie Shell, Beaded Fertility Doll, 20th Century

African Yoruba Cowrie Shell, Beaded Fertility Doll, 20th Century

Located in Miami, FL

African Yoruba Cowrie Shell, Beaded Fertility Doll, 20th Century Offered for sale is a 20th century African Yoruba hand-carved wood fertility doll made in the Tribal style.

Category

20th Century Congolese Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Shell, Beads

Rhythms of Color: Mounted Beaded Belt with Geometric Motifs and Cowrie Shells
Rhythms of Color: Mounted Beaded Belt with Geometric Motifs and Cowrie Shells

Rhythms of Color: Mounted Beaded Belt with Geometric Motifs and Cowrie Shells

Located in New York, NY

Along the lower edge, braided fiber tassels terminate in natural cowrie shells, elements widely associated with wealth, fertility, trade, and spiritual protection across numerous Afr...

Category

20th Century Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Shell

Vintage African Beaded Tie Waist Belt in Turquoise Seed Beads Cowries Sea Shell
Vintage African Beaded Tie Waist Belt in Turquoise Seed Beads Cowries Sea Shell

Vintage African Beaded Tie Waist Belt in Turquoise Seed Beads Cowries Sea Shell

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Vintage African Waist Belt Decorated with Cowries Sea Shells Handcrafted Boho style beaded tie belt in Turquoise color seeds, shells and beads.

Category

Mid-20th Century African Belts

1990s Pair of Wood And Shells Beaded Namji Dolls On Wood Bases
1990s Pair of Wood And Shells Beaded Namji Dolls On Wood Bases

1990s Pair of Wood And Shells Beaded Namji Dolls On Wood Bases

Located in Tarrytown, NY

1990s Pair of Wood And Shells Beaded Namji Dolls Made with wood, beads and cowrie shells Metal Earings Some cracks in the shells on top of the head

Category

1990s Cameroonian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Shell, Wood, Beads

20th Century African Cameroon Namji Doll for Prosperity, Health & Fertility
20th Century African Cameroon Namji Doll for Prosperity, Health & Fertility

20th Century African Cameroon Namji Doll for Prosperity, Health & Fertility

Located in Miami, FL

These dolls are traditionally carved from native rosewood and are adorned with cowrie shells and colorful beads. They are given to brides during wedding ceremonies to bring good luc...

Category

20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Verre Soufflé - Masque Kuba-Congo - Bois, perles, cauris - Circa 1975
Verre Soufflé - Masque Kuba-Congo - Bois, perles, cauris - Circa 1975

Verre Soufflé - Masque Kuba-Congo - Bois, perles, cauris - Circa 1975

By Vanessa Mitrani

Located in PANTIN, FR

Hand-blown directly over an authentic Kuba–Congo mask from circa 1975—crafted in wood and embellished with beads and cowrie shells—the piece creates an unexpected and powerful encoun...

Category

Vintage 1970s French Tribal Vases

Materials

Shell, Blown Glass, Wood, Beads

Very Old Ngady Mwaash Headdress, Kuba People, DRC
Very Old Ngady Mwaash Headdress, Kuba People, DRC

Very Old Ngady Mwaash Headdress, Kuba People, DRC

Located in Leuven , BE

This headdress, combined with the Ngady Mwaash face mask, is richly decorated with cowrie shells and tiny beads. The use of colour of the beads is symbolically charged.

Category

20th Century Congolese Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Bamileke Royal Buffalo Helmet Mask with Colonial Coin Embellishment
Bamileke Royal Buffalo Helmet Mask with Colonial Coin Embellishment

Bamileke Royal Buffalo Helmet Mask with Colonial Coin Embellishment

Located in Nottingham, GB

The decoration is further enriched by rows of white cowrie shells and small red glass beads tracing the central ridge and framing the base of the horns.

Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Gérald Vatrin Bota Blown Glass Sculpture, Hand-Crafted, France, 2023
Gérald Vatrin Bota Blown Glass Sculpture, Hand-Crafted, France, 2023

Gérald Vatrin Bota Blown Glass Sculpture, Hand-Crafted, France, 2023

By Gerald Vatrin

Located in Paris, FR

Amulet: woven leather, roasted wood, coconut wood, cowrie shells, wood & glass beads, steel needle.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Aesthetic Movement Urns

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass

Yoruba Ibeji Twin Figure
Yoruba Ibeji Twin Figure

Yoruba Ibeji Twin Figure

By Yoruba People

Located in Chicago, IL

The figure is then affectionately cared for during an indefinite mourning period and dressed in beads and cowrie shells. With poised statures, composed expressions, and intricate hai...

Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Opon Igede Ifa - Divination Bowl, Yoruba People, Nigeria, Early 20th Century
Opon Igede Ifa - Divination Bowl, Yoruba People, Nigeria, Early 20th Century

Opon Igede Ifa - Divination Bowl, Yoruba People, Nigeria, Early 20th Century

By Yoruba People

Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

These include a divination tray, beads, cowrie shells, kola or palm nuts, divination chains, and a tapper used to awaken the gods.

Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Jewelry and Dress in Ethiopia, Black and White Photography, Horizontal
Jewelry and Dress in Ethiopia, Black and White Photography, Horizontal

Jewelry and Dress in Ethiopia, Black and White Photography, Horizontal

By Drew Doggett

Located in US

"Untitled 10" A Hamar woman wears a leather apron adorned with cowrie shells and beads of her choosing. Creativity is encouraged when creating these leather garments, as highlighte...

Category

2010s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jewelry and Dress in Ethiopia, Black and White Photography, Horizontal
Jewelry and Dress in Ethiopia, Black and White Photography, Horizontal

Jewelry and Dress in Ethiopia, Black and White Photography, Horizontal

By Drew Doggett

Located in US

"Untitled 10" A Hamar woman wears a leather apron adorned with cowrie shells and beads of her choosing. Creativity is encouraged when creating these leather garments, as highlighte...

Category

2010s Contemporary Black and White Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Recent Sales

Ancient Egyptian Mycenean Period Carnelian Shells with Matching Gold Shell Beads
Ancient Egyptian Mycenean Period Carnelian Shells with Matching Gold Shell Beads

Ancient Egyptian Mycenean Period Carnelian Shells with Matching Gold Shell Beads

Located in Bloomington, IN

Eleven ancient carnelian beads and ten gold beads, all shaped to resemble cowrie shells.

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Artist Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Carnelian, Gold

Double Strand Choker Necklace with Ancient Egyptian Cowrie Shell Center, Gold
Double Strand Choker Necklace with Ancient Egyptian Cowrie Shell Center, Gold

Double Strand Choker Necklace with Ancient Egyptian Cowrie Shell Center, Gold

Located in Bloomington, IN

A double strand necklace of choker length of lapis lazuli, carnelian, turquoise and gold beads with a lapis lazuli cowrie shell bead in the center.

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Artist Choker Necklaces

Materials

Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Gold

Women's Tribal African Loin Cloth/Skirt with Cowrie Shells
Women's Tribal African Loin Cloth/Skirt with Cowrie Shells

Women's Tribal African Loin Cloth/Skirt with Cowrie Shells

Located in Oradell, NJ

Offered for sale is this authentic women's tribal African loin cloth/skirt made of leather, multi-colored beads, and cowrie shells The cowry or cowrie shells figure prominently in m...

Category

20th Century Skirts

Yet Beaded Kuba Belt
Yet Beaded Kuba Belt

Yet Beaded Kuba Belt

Unavailable

H 46 in W 46 in

Yet Beaded Kuba Belt

Located in Portland, ME

Each object is typically represented twice, one made of cowrie shells and another made of beads, both applied onto woven fiber.

Category

20th Century Congolese Collectible Jewelry

Group of Three Traditional Medicine Containers. Luguru, Tanzania
Group of Three Traditional Medicine Containers. Luguru, Tanzania

Group of Three Traditional Medicine Containers. Luguru, Tanzania

Located in London, GB

Decorating the bodies of the containers are cowrie shells and glass beads. Estimated Period: Mid-20th Century (Or Before) Average Measurement of Each Container's Widths and Depths:...

Category

Mid-20th Century Tanzanian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Shell, Natural Fiber, Wood, Beads

Kuba Bwoom Mask
Kuba Bwoom Mask

Kuba Bwoom Mask

Unavailable

H 14 in W 15 in D 28 in

Kuba Bwoom Mask

Located in Austin, TX

KUBA BWOOM MASK CREATED IN THE 20TH CENTURY MADE OF WOOD, COPPER, SEED PADS, COWRIE SHELLS, GLASS BEADS AND ANIMAL FUR. CONDITION: EXCELLENT WITH WEAR AND PATINA CONSISTENT WITH AGE.

Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Masks

Materials

Copper

Lele Face Mask
Lele Face Mask

Lele Face Mask

Unavailable

H 10 in W 9 in

Lele Face Mask

Located in Des Plaines, IL

Lele Face Mask Democratic Republic of the Congo Early-Mid 20th century Wood, raffia, plant fiber, cotton, wool, cowrie shells, glass beads HxW: 10 x 9 inches Each piece of tribal...

Category

20th Century More Art

Materials

Wood, Wool, Cotton

Chinese Cowrie Shell Beaded Vest on Stand
Chinese Cowrie Shell Beaded Vest on Stand

Chinese Cowrie Shell Beaded Vest on Stand

Sold

H 23 in W 11.75 in D 4.75 in

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

African Cowrie Shell and Glass Bead Bib
African Cowrie Shell and Glass Bead Bib

African Cowrie Shell and Glass Bead Bib

Located in Gresham, OR

African Cowrie Shell and Glass Bead Bib with Jute String Tie

Category

20th Century Unknown Ties

African Cowrie Shell and Glass Bead Bib
African Cowrie Shell and Glass Bead Bib

African Cowrie Shell and Glass Bead Bib

Located in Gresham, OR

African Cowrie Shell and Glass Bead Bib with Jute String Tie

Category

20th Century Unknown Neckties

A White Cowrie Shell Hanging Light, Papau New Guinea
A White Cowrie Shell Hanging Light, Papau New Guinea

A White Cowrie Shell Hanging Light, Papau New Guinea

Located in London, GB

Papua New Guinea, 20th century. An unusual twentieth century cowrie shell hanging light, with four tiers, and twisting shell beading to the body. Currently unwired. Please enquire...

Category

20th Century Papua New Guinean Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Shell

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap

By Kuba

Located in Chicago, IL

The base is made of a simple woven raffia fabric, which was then patterned with cowrie shells and dotted with colorful beads. Secured to the head by a metal pin, such caps were worn ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Shell, Fabric

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap

Sold

H 10 in Dm 5.5 in

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap

By Kuba

Located in Chicago, IL

The base is made of a simple woven raffia fabric, which was then embellished with a pattern of cowrie shells and colorful beads. Secured to the head by a metal pin, such caps were wo...

Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Shell, Fabric

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap

Sold

H 13 in Dm 7.5 in

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap

By Kuba

Located in Chicago, IL

The base is made of a simple woven raffia fabric, which was then embellished with a pattern of cowrie shells and colorful beads. Secured to the head by a metal pin, such caps were wo...

Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Shell, Fabric

Mid 20th Century African Kuba Helmet Tribal Mask Shells, Animal Fibres, Raffia
Mid 20th Century African Kuba Helmet Tribal Mask Shells, Animal Fibres, Raffia

Mid 20th Century African Kuba Helmet Tribal Mask Shells, Animal Fibres, Raffia

Located in Nottingham, GB

Kuba helmets are known for their elaborate and intricate designs, featuring a combination of materials such as wood, beads, shells, cowrie shells, fibers, and sometimes even metal.

Category

Mid-20th Century Tribal Art

Materials

Shell, Raffia

Set of Three Fali Ham Pilu Fertility Dolls
Set of Three Fali Ham Pilu Fertility Dolls

Set of Three Fali Ham Pilu Fertility Dolls

Sold

H 10.75 in W 4 in D 2.75 in

Set of Three Fali Ham Pilu Fertility Dolls

Located in Chicago, IL

The dolls remain in excellent condition, shrouded in 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

RALPH LAUREN Collection Purple Label 2015 Runway Heavily Encrusted Dress
RALPH LAUREN Collection Purple Label 2015 Runway Heavily Encrusted Dress

RALPH LAUREN Collection Purple Label 2015 Runway Heavily Encrusted Dress

By Ralph Lauren Purple Label

Located in Leonardo, NJ

Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Runway FW15 Vanilla beige toned Lined in silk Glass beads, wooden beads, & cowrie shells make this dress a literal piece of art Back zip Size...

Category

2010s Cocktail Dresses

20th Century Kuba Man's Hat, from D.R.Congo
20th Century Kuba Man's Hat, from D.R.Congo

20th Century Kuba Man's Hat, from D.R.Congo

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Over a base of raffia, decorated with glass beads, copper, cowrie shells and barkcloth. The blue, white, green and red trade beads date to the first half of 20th century.  

Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Headdress from Papua New Guinea Made from Cowrie Shells and Red Seeds, Mounted
Headdress from Papua New Guinea Made from Cowrie Shells and Red Seeds, Mounted

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 macramé fiber. Traditionally this type of ceremonial headdress also served as a form of c...

Category

2010s Papua New Guinean Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Beads, Natural Fiber, Shell

African Dinka Beaded Vest, Mid-20th Century, Sudan
African Dinka Beaded Vest, Mid-20th Century, Sudan

African Dinka Beaded Vest, Mid-20th Century, Sudan

Located in Austin, TX

A fine and rare Dinka beaded vest for a young woman, comprised of strands of brightly colored glass beads, fiber, and cowrie shells, mid 20th century, Dinka peoples, Sudan.

Category

Vintage 1960s Sudanese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Metal

African Kuba Bwoom Helmet Mask Kasai Democratic Republic of the Congo
African Kuba Bwoom Helmet Mask Kasai Democratic Republic of the Congo

African Kuba Bwoom Helmet Mask Kasai Democratic Republic of the Congo

Located in Forney, TX

Kuba Peoples, Kasai region, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa, Mid-20th Century A exceptional vintage African hand-carved wood Bwoom helmet mask, the Kuba peoples,...

Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Leather, Shell, Wood, Beads

Antique authentic African abstract tribal art, Fali doll, Cameroon, Africa
Antique authentic African abstract tribal art, Fali doll, Cameroon, Africa

Antique authentic African abstract tribal art, Fali doll, Cameroon, Africa

Located in Norwich, GB

A beautiful unusual antique tribal Fali doll, Cameroon, Africa, richly decorated with chains of glass beads, cowrie shells and coins. Dolls from the Fali people in Cameroon are abst...

Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Leather, Glass, Wood

Kuba Beaded Hat
Kuba Beaded Hat

Kuba Beaded Hat

Sold

H 10.5 in Dm 8 in

Kuba Beaded Hat

Located in New York, NY

This hat is one of several types of hats worn in council meetings and ceremonies that reveal the rank of the wearer. The beaded adornments of costly imported glass beads and cowrie s...

Category

20th Century Congolese Tribal Art

Materials

Fabric

Yoruba, Nigeria Beaded Gourd with Lid
Yoruba, Nigeria Beaded Gourd with Lid

Yoruba, Nigeria Beaded Gourd with Lid

Sold

H 16 in W 18 in D 18 in

Yoruba, Nigeria Beaded Gourd with Lid

Located in Salt Lake City, UT

A beaded gourd with lid from the Yoruba people of Nigeria having a red ground decorated with stylized sun medallions and faces, and accented with bands of cowrie shells.

Category

20th Century Nigerian Tribal Art

Materials

Beads

Yoruba Beaded Side Table.
Yoruba Beaded Side Table.

Yoruba Beaded Side Table.

Sold

H 26 in Dm 18 in

Yoruba Beaded Side Table.

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage table. Glass beads and cowrie shells. Could be a side table or ottoman.

Category

Late 20th Century Side Tables

Pair of Vintage Embroidery African Tribal Lumbar Pillows with Cowries Shells
Pair of Vintage Embroidery African Tribal Lumbar Pillows with Cowries Shells

Pair of Vintage Embroidery African Tribal Lumbar Pillows with Cowries Shells

By Atelier Lam

Located in Oakland Park, FL

Offered by the Antique Textiles Galleries: Pair of 1960s brown vintage embroidery and patchwork applique raffia African artisanal textile decorative lumbar pillows with Cowries shell...

Category

Vintage 1960s Congolese Tribal Pillows and Throws

Materials

Shell, Cotton, Linen, Beads, Raffia

Vintage Brown and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Textile
Vintage Brown and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Textile

Vintage Brown and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Textile

Located in Oakland Park, FL

Patchwork and embroidered applique design and tribal woven pattern. Embroidered wood beads and cowrie shells. In shades of brown, black, camel, taupe and natural.

Category

Vintage 1970s Congolese Tribal Tapestries

Materials

Raffia

Vintage Brown and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Textile Fragment
Vintage Brown and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Textile Fragment

Vintage Brown and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Textile Fragment

Located in Oakland Park, FL

Patchwork and embroidered applique design and tribal woven pattern. Embroidered wood beads and cowrie shells. In shades of brown, black, camel, taupe and natural.

Category

Vintage 1970s Congolese Tribal Tapestries

Materials

Raffia

Vintage Brown and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Textile Fragment
Vintage Brown and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Textile Fragment

Vintage Brown and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Textile Fragment

Located in Oakland Park, FL

Patchwork and embroidered applique design and tribal woven pattern. Embroidered wood beads and cowrie shells. In shades of brown, black, camel, taupe and natural.

Category

Vintage 1970s Congolese Tribal Tapestries

Materials

Raffia

Vintage Yellow and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Applique Textile
Vintage Yellow and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Applique Textile

Vintage Yellow and Black Earth Tones African Applique Kuba Applique Textile

Located in Oakland Park, FL

Patchwork and embroidered applique design and tribal woven pattern. Embroidered wood beads and cowrie shells. In shades of brown, black, camel, taupe and natural.

Category

Vintage 1970s Congolese Tribal Tapestries

Materials

Raffia

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Handcrafted Pink Bohemian Waist Belt Embroidered on Silk
Handcrafted Pink Bohemian Waist Belt Embroidered on Silk

Handcrafted Pink Bohemian Waist Belt Embroidered on Silk

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Grace your waistline with this saree embroidery Bohemian fuchsia pink belt. This hot pink belt is designed to give a very stylish bohemian look for your outfit. Handcrafted maggam w...

Category

Late 20th Century Indian Waist Belts

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Cowrie Shells Beaded For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic cowrie shells beaded available at 1stDibs. A cowrie shells beaded — often made from fabric, shell and beads — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer cowrie shells beaded, there are earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A cowrie shells beaded, designed in the folk art style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one cowrie shells beaded that is appealing in its simplicity, but Drew Doggett produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Cowrie Shells Beaded?

Prices for a cowrie shells beaded start at $450 and top out at $27,000 with the average selling for $1,590.