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1755 London Sterling Silver Hanoverian Pattern Tablespoon by John Cafe
1755 London Sterling Silver Hanoverian Pattern Tablespoon by John Cafe

1755 London Sterling Silver Hanoverian Pattern Tablespoon by John Cafe

By John Cafe

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

1755 London sterling silver tablespoon, Hanoverian pattern by John Cafe. 1744-56 mark. Rococo shell heel motif & obverse monogram. Rare, fine maker.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Rococo Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Jewelry Box with Abalone and Alpaca, Mexico, Circa 1970
Vintage Jewelry Box with Abalone and Alpaca, Mexico, Circa 1970

Vintage Jewelry Box with Abalone and Alpaca, Mexico, Circa 1970

Located in BARCELONA, ES

We specialize in vintage decorations, with particular expertise in rare mid-century shell-shaped objects, seashell sculptures, and coastal-inspired decor.Discover our curated collect...

Category

Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Abalone, Alpaca, Wood

Mother-of-pearl & aluminium centerpiece, Italy, 1980s
Mother-of-pearl & aluminium centerpiece, Italy, 1980s

Mother-of-pearl & aluminium centerpiece, Italy, 1980s

Located in BARCELONA, ES

We specialize in vintage decorations, with particular expertise in rare mid-century shell-shaped objects, seashell sculptures, and coastal-inspired decor.Discover our curated collect...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Aluminum

Mother-of-pearl & aluminium centerpiece, Italy, circa 1980s
Mother-of-pearl & aluminium centerpiece, Italy, circa 1980s

Mother-of-pearl & aluminium centerpiece, Italy, circa 1980s

Located in BARCELONA, ES

We specialize in vintage decorations, with particular expertise in rare mid-century shell-shaped objects, seashell sculptures, and coastal-inspired decor.Discover our curated collect...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Aluminum

Mother-of-pearl & aluminium Centerpiece, Italy, 1970's
Mother-of-pearl & aluminium Centerpiece, Italy, 1970's

Mother-of-pearl & aluminium Centerpiece, Italy, 1970's

Located in BARCELONA, ES

We specialize in vintage decorations, with particular expertise in rare mid-century shell-shaped objects, seashell sculptures, and coastal-inspired decor.Discover our curated collect...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Aluminum

Mother-of-pearl salt & pepper shakers, Italy, 1970s
Mother-of-pearl salt & pepper shakers, Italy, 1970s

Mother-of-pearl salt & pepper shakers, Italy, 1970s

Located in BARCELONA, ES

We specialize in vintage decorations, with particular expertise in rare mid-century shell-shaped objects, seashell sculptures, and coastal-inspired decor.Discover our curated collect...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tableware

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Antique authentic Sea Turtle
Antique authentic Sea Turtle

Antique authentic Sea Turtle

Located in Winnetka, IL

This is a rare antique shell of a Sea Turtle but in nice condition with all the shell intact , some marks from its sea life but is a beautiful specimen

Category

Early 20th Century Natural Specimens

Materials

Sea turtle

1 of 3 Big Mid-Century Seguso Murano Amethyst Blown Bubble Lantern Chandelier
1 of 3 Big Mid-Century Seguso Murano Amethyst Blown Bubble Lantern Chandelier

1 of 3 Big Mid-Century Seguso Murano Amethyst Blown Bubble Lantern Chandelier

By Seguso Vetri d'Arte

Located in Firenze, Toscana

Will be newly rewired with a certified UL US socket for the United States or appropriate socket for other countries and ready to hang. Rare lantern in amethyst tortoise shell pattern...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Murano Glass

1 of 3 Big Mid-Century Seguso Murano Amethyst Blown Tortoise Lantern Chandelier
1 of 3 Big Mid-Century Seguso Murano Amethyst Blown Tortoise Lantern Chandelier

1 of 3 Big Mid-Century Seguso Murano Amethyst Blown Tortoise Lantern Chandelier

By Seguso Vetri d'Arte

Located in Firenze, Toscana

Will be newly rewired with a certified UL US socket for the United States or appropriate socket for other countries and ready to hang. Rare lantern in amethyst tortoise shell pattern...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Murano Glass

1 of 3 Big Mid-Century Seguso Murano Amethyst Blown Bubble Lantern Chandelier
1 of 3 Big Mid-Century Seguso Murano Amethyst Blown Bubble Lantern Chandelier

1 of 3 Big Mid-Century Seguso Murano Amethyst Blown Bubble Lantern Chandelier

By Seguso Vetri d'Arte

Located in Firenze, Toscana

Will be newly rewired with a certified UL US socket for the United States or appropriate socket for other countries and ready to hang. Rare lantern in amethyst tortoise shell pattern...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns

Materials

Murano Glass

Late 19th Century Ceremonial Wood and Coconut Ladle, Bali Indonesia
Late 19th Century Ceremonial Wood and Coconut Ladle, Bali Indonesia

Late 19th Century Ceremonial Wood and Coconut Ladle, Bali Indonesia

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Late 19th Century Ceremonial Wood and Coconut Ladle, Bali Indonesia This is a rare coconut shell holy water dipper from the Bali Aga people of the Kintamani region of Bali, Indonesia.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indonesian Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Wood, Coconut

Late 19th Century Ceremonial Wood and Coconut Ladle, Bali Indonesia
Late 19th Century Ceremonial Wood and Coconut Ladle, Bali Indonesia

Late 19th Century Ceremonial Wood and Coconut Ladle, Bali Indonesia

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Late 19th Century Ceremonial Wood and Coconut Ladle, Bali Indonesia This is a rare coconut shell holy water dipper from the Bali Aga people of the Kintamani region of Bali, Indonesia.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indonesian Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Wood, Coconut

Antique Silver "Momento Mori" Cameo Brooch
Antique Silver "Momento Mori" Cameo Brooch

Antique Silver "Momento Mori" Cameo Brooch

Located in New York, NY

This rare and evocative antique shell cameo features a Memento Mori motif—a symbolic reminder of mortality—expertly carved in fine detail and set in a silver frame.

Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Gold Plate, Silver

Scarce Pair Space Age , Modernist Fiberglass Chairs by Vecta Group
Scarce Pair Space Age , Modernist Fiberglass Chairs by Vecta Group

Scarce Pair Space Age , Modernist Fiberglass Chairs by Vecta Group

By Mario Bellini, Vecta Group, Vico Magistretti

Located in Buffalo, NY

A black base sets off the glossy white fiberglass surrounding it. Quality black fabric shell.. A super rare set. restored (at some point) Amazing design !

Category

Vintage 1970s Space Age Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Fiberglass

Set of 2 Silène loungechairs by M Borgnat for Clairitex, 1960s
Set of 2 Silène loungechairs by M Borgnat for Clairitex, 1960s

Set of 2 Silène loungechairs by M Borgnat for Clairitex, 1960s

By Clairitex

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Very rare set of 2 fiberglass shell lounge chairs designed by M.

Category

Vintage 1960s French Space Age Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Herman Miller Eames Dining Chair and Table Set
Herman Miller Eames Dining Chair and Table Set

Herman Miller Eames Dining Chair and Table Set

By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A rare and unique set. All shells in good condition with no cracks or holes.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

A Paul Storr Silver 12 Place Canteen
A Paul Storr Silver 12 Place Canteen

A Paul Storr Silver 12 Place Canteen

By Paul Storr

Located in Cornwall, GB

Aside from the slight variations found from individual makers die-stamps, there are three design variants: the most common diamond heel; the quite scarce Union shell heel; the rare t...

Category

Antique 1810s English George III Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tulip chair by Erwin and Estelle Laverne
Tulip chair by Erwin and Estelle Laverne

Tulip chair by Erwin and Estelle Laverne

By Erwine & Estelle Laverne

Located in Utrecht, NL

Outer shell structured, inner shell smooth. A rare sculptural piece in excellent condition.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

A 6 Place Canteen by Paul Storr, 1813-1817
A 6 Place Canteen by Paul Storr, 1813-1817

A 6 Place Canteen by Paul Storr, 1813-1817

By Paul Storr

Located in Cornwall, GB

Paul Storr is considered the greatest silversmith of the 19th century, and as such his work is highly sought-after and therefore very rare to find. Well proportioned and superbly mad...

Category

Antique 1810s English George III Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver, Silver

Dutch Colonial Period Ceylonese Guardian Lion Sculpture – 18th Century
Dutch Colonial Period Ceylonese Guardian Lion Sculpture – 18th Century

Dutch Colonial Period Ceylonese Guardian Lion Sculpture – 18th Century

Located in Bilzen, BE

Notable Features VOC-period craftsmanship with European and Sinhalese stylistic elements Authentic 18th-century patina, undisturbed and richly developed Inlaid eyes, likely of bone...

Category

Antique 18th Century Sri Lankan Dutch Colonial Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Scholars’ Incense Tray of Coconut Wood
Antique Chinese Scholars’ Incense Tray of Coconut Wood

Antique Chinese Scholars’ Incense Tray of Coconut Wood

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Having an 18th century attribution and the following footnote: ”Chests and indeed any piece of furniture made with coconut-shell are very rare. This unique material was cut and craft...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Wood, Coconut

Trifari Faux Pearls, Original Box
Trifari Faux Pearls, Original Box

Trifari Faux Pearls, Original Box

By Trifari

Located in New York, NY

Trifari Faux Pearls with rare Original Shell Box in velvet. Sterling paste clasp signed Trifari Sterling dating it to the 1940's. 18" graduated with original store tag.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Sterling Silver

1890s Victorian Cameo Brooch Of A Gentleman
1890s Victorian Cameo Brooch Of A Gentleman

1890s Victorian Cameo Brooch Of A Gentleman

Located in South Pasadena, CA

SPECIFICATIONS: CAMEO: An extremely rare fine carved Shell Cameo depiction of a Gentlemen.

Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

Goddess Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace Silver Classical Antique 2.5 Inches
Goddess Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace Silver Classical Antique 2.5 Inches

Goddess Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace Silver Classical Antique 2.5 Inches

Located in New York, NY

This is an absolutely stunning and very rare large antique Shell Cameo Pendant Brooch with a hand carved image of a Goddess Maiden with wonderful swirling robes and scarf.

Category

20th Century Italian Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Silver

1st Generation Charles Eames Zenith/Herman Miller Plastic Rope Edge Chair
1st Generation Charles Eames Zenith/Herman Miller Plastic Rope Edge Chair

1st Generation Charles Eames Zenith/Herman Miller Plastic Rope Edge Chair

By Zenith, Herman Miller, Charles Eames

Located in Buffalo, NY

Rare, early set of 4 Charles and Ray Eames Fiberglass arm shell chairs, extremely rare "Raw Umber" color, all 4 chairs retain original checkerboard Zenith Labels, ROPE EDGE, X BASE.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Scalloped Merlot Red Ceramic Vide-Poche by Gabriel Keramik, Sweden 1960s
Scalloped Merlot Red Ceramic Vide-Poche by Gabriel Keramik, Sweden 1960s

Scalloped Merlot Red Ceramic Vide-Poche by Gabriel Keramik, Sweden 1960s

By Gabriel Keramik

Located in Grythyttan, SE

This rare and exquisite shell dish from Gabriel features a striking Art Deco design, numbered 746.

Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Art Deco Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Ceramic

Charles and Ray Eames DAX chair by Herman Miller, 70s
Charles and Ray Eames DAX chair by Herman Miller, 70s

Charles and Ray Eames DAX chair by Herman Miller, 70s

By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller

Located in Athens, Attiki

An iconic piece of design in a very rare version. Moulded fiberglass, beige shell. Leather upholstery.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Nude Apollo God Archer Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace Silver Antique VIctorian
Nude Apollo God Archer Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace Silver Antique VIctorian

Nude Apollo God Archer Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace Silver Antique VIctorian

Located in New York, NY

Indulge in a museum quality absolutely stunning and very rare large antique Shell Cameo Pendant Brooch with a hand carved image of a nude God Apollo with his Archery Bow and Arrow wi...

Category

20th Century Italian Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

21st Century Bracelet Silver Mesh 18k Yellow Gold Ammolite Diamonds Frogs Leaves
21st Century Bracelet Silver Mesh 18k Yellow Gold Ammolite Diamonds Frogs Leaves

21st Century Bracelet Silver Mesh 18k Yellow Gold Ammolite Diamonds Frogs Leaves

By Vicente Gracia Art Jewellery

Located in Valencia, ES

Each stone is formed from vibrant, intense-colored fragments of a rare fossilized shell, known as Ammolite. This mineralized gemstone originated from the extinct ammonite mollusk, da...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Modern Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, 24k Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Winged Angels Nude Goddess Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace 14 Karat Gold Antique
Winged Angels Nude Goddess Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace 14 Karat Gold Antique

Winged Angels Nude Goddess Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace 14 Karat Gold Antique

Located in New York, NY

Indulge in a museum quality absolutely stunning and very rare large antique Shell Cameo Pendant Brooch with a hand carved image of two winged angels attending to a nude Goddess maide...

Category

20th Century Italian Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Eames Early Rope Edge Lounge Chair for Herman Miller
Eames Early Rope Edge Lounge Chair for Herman Miller

Eames Early Rope Edge Lounge Chair for Herman Miller

By Charles and Ray Eames

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A very early 1st generation rope edge rare lounge height fiberglass arm shell chair with the larger rubber shock mounts having metal washers and satin black iron X base.

Category

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

Materials

Iron

1992 Gianni Versace Runway Documented Baroque Print Silk Shirt
1992 Gianni Versace Runway Documented Baroque Print Silk Shirt

1992 Gianni Versace Runway Documented Baroque Print Silk Shirt

By Gianni Versace, Versace

Located in London, GB

Many of the most recognisable Versace icons were launched in that collection and can be seen in the design of this shirt; pastel silks, baroque detailing and shell motifs. This rar...

Category

1990s Italian Shirts

1844 - Chichi, Japanese Scroll Painting. Colour on Silk
1844 - Chichi, Japanese Scroll Painting. Colour on Silk

1844 - Chichi, Japanese Scroll Painting. Colour on Silk

Located in Kyoto, JP

The striking colour scheme has been achieved with vivid pigments, ink and delicate gofun (a gesso-like paste made from powdered shells). A very rare subject in Japanese art though...

Category

Antique 1840s Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk

A Worcester (Barr, Flight & Barr) Twenty-Eight Piece Part Dessert Service
A Worcester (Barr, Flight & Barr) Twenty-Eight Piece Part Dessert Service

A Worcester (Barr, Flight & Barr) Twenty-Eight Piece Part Dessert Service

By Barr, Flight & Barr Worcester

Located in Brighton, West Sussex

The dawn of Romanticism was a period of considerable scientific enquiry, and this was reflected in the choice of ornament, notably the painting of rare feathers, shells, minerals, pl...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Binazzi Shell Trinket Bowl Sculpture, 1970s, Italy
Rare Binazzi Shell Trinket Bowl Sculpture, 1970s, Italy

Rare Binazzi Shell Trinket Bowl Sculpture, 1970s, Italy

By Binazzi

Located in Vis, NL

Rare Binazzi, Italy small trinket bowl. Natural shell combined with silver plated sculpture,  1970s, made in Italy.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Plate

Rare Signed Binazzi Goose Shell Trinket Bowl Sculpture, 1970s, Italy
Rare Signed Binazzi Goose Shell Trinket Bowl Sculpture, 1970s, Italy

Rare Signed Binazzi Goose Shell Trinket Bowl Sculpture, 1970s, Italy

By Binazzi

Located in Vis, NL

Rare Signed Binazzi Italy small trinket bowl. Natural shell combined with silver plated sculpture. 1970s, made in Italy.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Plate

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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.