Shell Currency
Shell Currency Yua Bride's Price, Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Yua Shell Currency, Bride’s Price
Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea
Hand carved from a clam
Category
20th Century Papua New Guinean Other Tribal Art
Materials
Shell
Shell Currency Yua Bride's Price, Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Yua Shell Currency, Bride’s Price
Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea
Hand carved from a clam
Category
20th Century Papua New Guinean Other Tribal Art
Materials
Shell
Shell Currency Yua Bride's Price, Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Yua Shell Currency, Bride’s Price
Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea
Hand carved from a clam
Category
20th Century Papua New Guinean Other Tribal Art
Materials
Shell
Shell Clamp Money, Africa
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Good string of early 20th century shell money or currency from Africa. The shells have a warm
Category
Early 20th Century African Other Nautical Objects
Materials
Shell
Fulani Currency
Located in Dallas, TX
Nigerian currency crafted by the Fulani tribe. Outlawed in the 19th century by Colonel Phelps. The
Category
Antique 19th Century Nigerian Tribal Mounted Objects
Materials
Metal
African Currency, Thoung Knife
Located in Dallas, TX
, most evolved into "pure" currency, deliberately unusable except as objects recognized, prized and
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier African Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Metal
Collection of Four 19th Century African Tribal Currency's
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine collection of four 18th - 19th century African Tribal currency's on stand from the world
Category
Antique 19th Century Nigerian Tribal Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Iron
Single Yua Wenga Currency from the Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
currency piece from Papua New Guinea has been carved from a giant clam shell, with pieces of bamboo. Yua
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Natural Specimens
Materials
Bone
An Unusually Large 19th Century Topoke Tribe Currency Sword
Located in Hudson, NY
This currency sword, like most African trade currency items, was used as a way to transfer wealth
Category
Antique 19th Century Congolese Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Set of Three West African Manilla Currency Pieces on a Custom Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
dynamics of different societies. These forms of currency included cowrie shells, iron bars, salt, beads
Category
Antique 19th Century African Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Bronze
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
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
Collection of Tibetan Money
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Exceptional collection of Tibetan Money, exchange currency in shell
all of them with little holes
Category
Vintage 1920s Tibetan Tribal Art
Materials
Shell
Early Papua New Guinea Sepik Woven Raffia Talipun Mask Red Pigments ex Hamson
Located in Point Richmond, CA
which was the currency used in wedding ceremonies. Shell not included.
Mask is 15 1/2 inches high, on
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Organic Material
H 15.5 in W 5.38 in D 3 in
Early Papua New Guinea Sepik Woven Raffia Talipun Mask With Pigments Custom Base
Located in Point Richmond, CA
face would have been tied to a large shell which was the currency used in wedding ceremonies. Shell not
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Organic Material
H 8.5 in W 5.25 in D 2.75 in
Chinese Song Dynasty Green Glazed Buddhist Funerary Jar and Cover - TL Tested
Located in London, GB
decorated with applied Buddhist motifs and shell-moulded panels. The lid is decorated in a similar manner
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Antiquities
Materials
Terracotta
H 13.78 in W 11.03 in D 10.44 in
Oman, Necklace, 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
international currency among the tribes and the states of the Middle East, in much the same way as the Spanish
Category
Antique 19th Century Omani Tribal Art
Materials
Gold, Silver
Old Copper Coins of Congo, Africa / Rare Objects / Folk Art/20th century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
taking place in Africa.
Various goods such as textiles, feathers, beads, and shells were exchanged there
Category
20th Century Congolese Other Tribal Art
Materials
Copper
H 8.67 in W 9.65 in D 4.81 in
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Pre-Columbian Nayarit Seated Figure Redware Statue
Located in New York, NY
Ancient pre-Columbian, Nayarit, Mexican, circa 100 BCE to 250 CE, hand-built ceramic pottery redware sculpture of a seated male figure with arms crossed and wearing a headdress and m...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Pre-Columbian Abstract Sculptures
Materials
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Organic Modern Floor Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE floor lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada.
Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant‘s Foot– for the prominent shape at its base. Se...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
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Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.
Located in London, GB
This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armour...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier German Decorative Art
Materials
Other
Antique Giant Clam Shell
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique giant clam shell, reclaimed from a garden and previously used as a fountain. Also known by its Latin name Tridacna gigas, this clam is of a large scale. It could be used e...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Country Garden Ornaments
Materials
Shell
Pre-Columbian Ceramic Sican Bird Vessel TL Tested
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pre-Columbian ceramic bottle in the shape of a bird from Northern Coast of Peru likely Sican Culture that flourished from 8th to 14th century. The avian vessel features a hollow bo...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Pre-Columbian Bottles
Materials
Ceramic
Maya Redware Turtle Bowl, c. 600-900 AD
Located in Chicago, IL
Exhibiting a rich patina, this petite redware bowl is attributed to Maya culture and shows many telltale signs of Pre-Columbian pottery. Speckled with imperfections, the vessel's war...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Central American Pre-Columbian Decorati...
Materials
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Matched Pair Split Ammonite Fossil Set Mineral Specimen
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Matched Pair Split Ammonite fossil mineral specimens
Jurassic - Cretaceous Period, 200 - 145 million years old
Measures: 4 x 3.25 x 0.25 in. / 10 x 8 x 1 cm
Height on custom dis...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Other Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
La Tolita-Tumaco Standing Female Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
This standing effigy was crafted in 500 A.D. - 1000 A.D. Mesoamerica using the gray clay paste that characterizes La Tolita-Tumaco ceramics of early Colombia-Ecuador. The art of La T...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier South American Pre-Columbian Figurative...
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Decorative Halved Ammonite, African, Fossil, Display Plinth, Cretaceous
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage decorative halved ammonite. An African, opalized fossil on display plinth, dating to Cretaceous period millions of years ago, polished and presented circa 1970.
...
Category
Late 20th Century African Modern Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Natural Fiber, Wood
H 6.11 in W 9.85 in D 2.76 in
Beautiful Antique Oval Shell Shadow Box Diorama
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely Nantucket 19th century oval shell diorama having artistically arranged collection of natural shells against pale blue background. The old world frame is dark wood and there's...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Shadow Boxes
Materials
Shell, Glass, Wood
Large Ammonite Fossil
Located in Napa, CA
Ammonites were predatory Prehistoric cephalopod mollusks which existed between 400 and 66 million years ago before dying out during the extinction event which killed the dinosaurs. V...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Collectibles and Curiosities
Set of Three Prehistoric Ammonite
Located in Miami, FL
Set of three prehistoric ammonite fossil, unmounted.
Measurements:
Big amonite: Depth *4.5in Width *5.5in Height *1.6in
Medium amonite: Depth *4.1in Width *5.1in Height *1.6in...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Prehistoric Natural Specimens
Maya Mam Large Red Jar Pre Columbian Design, Indigenous Pottery
Located in Huay Pix, MX
MAM Collection
Place of origin: Department of Huehuetenango, Guatemala
Collection of jars made of red clay. They have traditionally been used to carry water.
Made by three sister...
Category
2010s Guatemalan Pre-Columbian Jars
Materials
Clay
Pair of Etched Dogu-Style Terracotta Figures
Located in Chicago, IL
This intricately styled pair of terracotta figurines is sculpted in the style of Japanese Dogū sculptures of the Jōmon period (10th-4th century B.C.). Reminiscent of Pre-Columbian re...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown Pre-Columbian Figurative Sculpt...
Materials
Ceramic
Colima Seated Redware Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully aged with a rich patina and pitted wear, this seated ceramic male figure is attributed to the Colima region of Western Mexico. The stylized form of this male figure follo...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Mexican Pre-Columbian Figurative Sculpt...
Materials
Ceramic
African Tribal Senufo Chair
Located in Sharon, CT
Authentic tribal piece with wonderful patina. Backrest constructed of two typical Senufo birds.
Category
Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Chairs
Materials
Wood
Recent Sales
"Boyken" shell currency, Papua New Guinea, circa 1900.
Located in London, GB
Rare type of Papua New Guinea currency known as "boyken".
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Art
Materials
Shell
Two Yoruba Tribe twin Figures with Cowrie Cloaks, Nigeria
Located in Santa Fe, NM
. Well used and loved. Cowrie shells were once a form of currency, the cowrie-encrusted cloaks on these
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
, early 20 century. Cowrie shells were a type of currency in West Africa, and when stitched to cloth
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
French 18th Century Walnut Commode by Pierre Hache, Grenoble, circa 1740
By Pierre Hache
Located in Isle sur la Sorgue, Provence
visible.
Shell of the cross and central part of the reported drawers, depending on the currency savings
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of ...
Materials
Walnut
H 34.26 in W 48.82 in D 23.63 in
Gupta Period Stone Head of the Buddha
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gupta Empire are numerous and impressive. Their stable currency of gold dinars, combined with an
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Indian Antiquities
Materials
Stone
Early 20th Century Tribal Shell Currency Ring from Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Offered by CALLIE MORGAN OAKES
Early 20th Century Shell Currency from Papua New Guinea
Made
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Primitive Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Shell
Single Yua Wenga Clamshell Currency from Papua New Guinea on Custom Black Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
Single Yua Wenga shell currency from Papua New Guinea. Yua (Money) Wenga (Clam Rings) are clamshell
Category
20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Metal, Iron
Vintage Shell Rings on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
shell and was once use as a currency exchange is now used for decorative art!
Using a traditional
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Pacific Islands Tribal Mounted Objects
Materials
Shell
Antique Tribal Shell Rings as Decorative Art
Located in Dallas, TX
Made from giant shell into a polished decorative ring on custom iron mount
Formed from a section
Category
Antique 19th Century Pacific Islands Tribal Mounted Objects
Materials
Shell
Bride's Kina Shell Necklace
Located in Chicago, IL
their new paper money is named Kina. Shells like these were used as currency and dowry goods. These
Category
Antique 19th Century Papua New Guinean Decorative Objects
Antique Tall Decorative Tribal Art
Located in Dallas, TX
These were used as a currency exchange for land for many centuries, now comes with a custom stand
Category
Antique 19th Century Oceanic Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Shell
Antique Decorative Tribal Art on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
These were used as a currency exchange for land for many centuries, now comes with a custom stand
Category
Antique 19th Century Oceanic Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Shell
Antique Decorative Art Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
These were used as a currency exchange for land for many centuries, now comes with a custom stand
Category
Antique 19th Century Oceanic Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Shell
Decorative Tribal Necklace with Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
length.
Cowrie shells shows symbolism for female and fertility, as well as used as a coin currency
Category
20th Century Pacific Islands Tribal Collectible Jewelry
Materials
Natural Fiber, Shell
Yoruba House Of Head Shrine
Located in Chicago, IL
covered in Cowrie shells which were the traditional Yoruba currency. Because the shells are associated
Category
Antique 19th Century Nigerian Tribal Art
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Glass
Custom Silver Leafed Faux Bamboo Modern Rectangular Coffee Table W/ Couroc Trays
By James Mont
Located in Houston, TX
interchangeable and can be shifted from space to space. Half of the trays have different currency set in them
Category
Vintage 1960s Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
H 15.5 in W 94.75 in D 27.5 in
19th Century Italian Carved Chestnut Sideboard or Buffet
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
with shell motifs. The two drawers have handles in finely chiseled gilded bronze. Its small size is an
Category
Antique 1880s Italian Renaissance Sideboards
Materials
Chestnut
Pair of Yua Wenga Early 20th Century Clam Shell Currencies on Custom Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
tribal currency pieces from Papua New Guinea have been carved from giant clam shells with pieces of
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Art
Materials
Shell
H 9.75 in W 7.25 in D 3 in
Assortment of Yua Wenga Clamshells on Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
An assortment of Yua Wenga shell currencies from Papua New Guinea. Yua (Money) Wenga (Clam Rings
Category
20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Art
Materials
Iron, Metal
New Guinea Clam Shell Tribal Currency, Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
currency piece from Papua New Guinea has been carved from a giant clam shell, with pieces of bamboo. Yua
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Art
Materials
Shell
20th Century Tribal Papua New Guinea Shell Ring Currency Group Set of 6
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Offered by Callie Morgan Oakes
20th Century Tribal Papua New Guinea Yua Shell Ring Currency Group
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Natural Fiber, Shell
Yua Wenga Currency from the Early 20th Century Displayed on Custom Iron Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
currency piece from Papua New Guinea has been carved from a giant clam shell, with pieces of bamboo. Yua
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Shell
H 9.25 in W 7 in D 2.5 in
Hollywood Regency Style Pair of Philippines Pendants Woven with Sea Shells
Located in Prato, Tuscany
decorate their jewelry, houses, and boats. In many tropical countries, tribes used shells as currency. The
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Hollywood Regency Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Shell
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
Category
2010s Papua New Guinean Tribal Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beads, Natural Fiber, Shell
H 30 in W 9 in D 9 in
Antique Vintage Satinwood Mahogany Jewellery Casket Table Box Cowrie Shells
Located in Dublin, Ireland
appearance.
Shells of certain species have historically been used as currency in several parts of the
Category
20th Century English Edwardian Jewelry Boxes
Materials
Brass
H 3.5 in W 11.25 in D 11 in
Vintage Tribal Wealth Necklace Accessory Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
on handwoven hemp with full grown 90 conus shell discs on a black custom stand.
The shell disc
Category
Antique 19th Century Oceanic Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Shell, Beads, Hemp
Single Yua Wenga from Papua New Guinea
Located in Atlanta, GA
currency piece from Papua New Guinea has been carved from a giant clam shell, with pieces of bamboo. Yua
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Antiquities
Materials
Iron
African Dinka Beaded Vest, Mid-20th Century, Sudan
Located in Austin, TX
beads, fiber, and cowrie shells, mid 20th century, Dinka peoples, Sudan.
This extraordinary garment
Category
Vintage 1960s Sudanese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Metal
Uncut Sheet of Nautical Decorated Commercial Banknotes, Circa 1850s - 1860s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Neptune and Lady Liberty riding the waves in a clam shell chariot pulled by Hippocampi (or seahorses
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century American Federal Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
H 15 in W 10.25 in D 0.75 in
Grand Scale African, Cowrie Shell Necklace Mounted on a Custom Stand
Located in Houston, TX
Grand Scale Cowrie Shell Necklace, Africa, Mounted on Custom Stand. This handsome African necklace
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Collectible Jewelry
Materials
Shell
A Set of Three Decorative Artifacts
Located in Westport, CT
A form of currency from Papua New Guinea. They are carved from the belly of a giant clam shell
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Papua New Guinean Decorative Objects
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Shell Currency For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the shell currency you’re looking for. A shell currency — often made from shell, metal and iron — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer shell currency, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right shell currency, those designed in Hollywood Regency and louis xv styles are of considerable interest.
How Much is a Shell Currency?
A shell currency can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,725, while the lowest priced sells for $275 and the highest can go for as much as $233,946.
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