Shell Scholar's Objects

Echoing through time with the sound of ancient battlefields and sacred rituals, this 18th-century Horagai signal conch (SKU: ZC37) is a venerable treasure from the age of samurai. Cr...

A Rare and Beautiful Edo Period Horagai Conch Shell Trumpet. This rare and beautiful Horagai conch shell trumpet is a stunning example of Japanese craftsmanship. It is dated to the ...

A charming Korean keyaki (Japanese elm), lacquer, and mother-of-pearl inlaid personal accessory chest for a woman, Joseon Dynasty, early 19th century or earlier, Korea. The small ac...

This vintage Chinese snuff bottle, exquisitely crafted from mother of pearl (MOP), is a fine example of cameo carving, a technique that c...

Horagai conch shell trumpet with beautiful patination and bronze mouthpiece. This Horagai conch shell trumpet is a rare and valuable piece of Japanese history and culture. It was made in the Late Edo period (18th-19th century) and is in fine original condition with expected abrasions due to the significant age of the item. The trumpet is made of a conch shell with a bronze mouthpiece. It measures 34x 16.5 x 13 cm (13.5 / 6.5 / 5 inch) and weighs 1.2kg (2.5 lb). The trumpet has a beautiful patina, resulting from years of use and exposure to the elements. The bronze mouthpiece is also in good condition and shows no signs of wear. The trumpet is powerful and can produce a loud, clear sound. It was traditionally used in Japanese ceremonies and festivals and is still used today by some Shinto priests...

A six panel screen in black paint with overall gilt scrolled and carved and painted wood applied low relief decoration with some Mother-of-Pearl details. Scenes with pavilions and fi...

A very large, 20" calligraphy brush made with black lacquered handle encrusted with mother of pearl cherry blossoms. The black lacquer is a painstaking process that takes days of app...

The first we have seen A spectacular and hard to find Inlaid mother of pearly - using the raden technique- and lacquered three-drawer Tansu complete with all original bronze accoutrement including a fine engraved antique long pipe and two removable covered bronze cylinders all executed by expert mid-19th century Edo samurai...

Conch shell recipient and container for holy water used in ceremonies. Known as “Buddha ears”, they were mounted as a sound instrument. Such shells are important ritual objects in Tibetan Buddhism...

A highly unusual Japanese crackle glazed koro (incense burner or censer), lacquered and inlaid with mother-of-pearl embellishment, signed Gyokusen, Ed...