Shell Decorative Objects

20th-century jewellery box This jewellery box originates from France. Mid-20th century. Inlaid with various types of wood and mother-of-pearl. Dimensions: 19L x 19W x 13.5H cm

Jewelry box of irregular oval form in solid mahogany, the gently wavy lid centred with a marquetry inlay of lighter woods and mother of pearl forming an abstract motif suggestive of ...

A truly one-of-a-kind sculptural masterpiece by the esteemed American artist Joseph Malekan, renowned for his ability to harmoniously blend natural elements into luxurious, Organic M...

A single selenite log with natural-forming baroque pearls on a custom hammered metal stand. Ruler selenite or "selenite logs" are single, prismatic seleni...

A 19th century French Napoleon III marquetry double compartment tea caddy, featuring a serpentine silhouette and parquetry pattern edged with a brass molding. Mahogany veneer with a ...

Illuminate with seaside charm using our Vintage Coastal Shell Encrusted Candlesticks - A Pair. These elegant candlesticks are adorned with shells, blending coastal allure with Americ...

Sturdy rectangular hinged trinket box featuring brass and inlaid iridescent mother of pearl shells throughout. This box is super charming and functional for displaying or containing ...

PRESENTING a LOVELY 19C Anglo Indian Bombay MOP (Mother of Pearl) Sadeli Mosaic Trinket Box from circa 1875-85. Gorgeously detailed and hand-crafted ‘sadeli mosaic’ inlay, from the Bombay Area, with deep greens with silver, pewter, mother of pearl, bone and ebony in geometric patterns. The box case, is made of sandalwood but completely covered in MOP, bone, faux ivory, ebony and mosaic inlay. Edged with faux ivory and banded with a different pattern of sadeli mosaic. Some minor damage to the top (repair is obvious in pics) and ivorine replacements to some edging, but it still a BEAUTIFUL BOX and of real QUALITY! The mosaic work is FABULOUS! Box opens to reveal its original blue velvet lining. It sits on 4 (recently added) silvered button feet. SADELI MOSAIC: “Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins. The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before the Anglo Indian boxes were made. It was a technique, which required a high degree of skill and patience. It was executed very lavishly, in that the frequent cuts wasted a great amount of the precious materials used. The workmanship was however more than commensurable to the value of the materials. Ivory, silver, pewter (or other metals), wood and horn were cut into faceted rods which were bound together to form geometric patterns. When the glue has set, the rods were sliced in transverse sections. This gave the maker a number of angled circular pieces in the original pattern. Several variations of patterns could be achieved by combining the materials in different ways. The ivory was sometimes dyed green to give an extra color. The mosaic pieces in a combination of patterns, often separated by ivory, ebony, horn or silver stringing were used to veneer sandalwood boxes. In the early boxes, which date from the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, there are large panels of mosaic covering tops and sides of boxes. It took incredible skill to cover such large areas without any shakes or wavering of the pattern. The corners and joins on these boxes are impeccably matched. The makers (reputed to be Persian) of Sadeli mosaic made in the first two decades of the 19th century displayed a total understanding of the qualities of the different materials they used. They combined substances, which can expand and contract according to atmospheric conditions with others, which are hard and unyielding. The result was a sharp definition of the lines and patterns, which made up the whole design. On the early boxes the designs look deceptively simple. The fact is, they emerged from a culture, which had mastered geometry and understood how to generate a pattern from a set number of points. The patterns are so harmoniously combined that their incredible complexity is not immediately apparent. The earliest Sadeli boxes...

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The KIFU PARIS Backgammon Game Tray is the ultimate luxury game. Accented with a mixture of shagreen, pen shell and bronze-patina brass this piece comes with all game parts in a velvet pouch. Available in a light or dark color-way. The dimensions of this piece are 60 x 34.5 x 5 cm All Kifu Paris pieces are handmade by artisans, ultimately making each piece unique. Custom color/sizing available on request. Wipe clean with soft dry cloth. Although inspired by her parents, her collection of Home Accessories and Furniture is a distinct identity of its own. Kifu uses handmade techniques of elaborate inlay patterns of shagreen, shells, semi-precious stones, materials she experienced as a child growing up in her parent’s studio, but interpreted in a younger quirkier way reflecting her youth. From her "jewelry inspired knobs" on decorative boxes, gold bar boxes and an extravagant inlay pattern mix of shagreen and shell inspired by galactic constellations, as seen on her enormous round mirror...

1970s handmade shell art vase.

18th century Italian gilded crown with natural-forming baroque pearls and elestial quartz crystal points. The baroque pearl and elestial crystal points bejewel the crown and follow t...

Very fine William IV tea caddy with mother of pearl inlay in rosewood ground, the overall sarcophagus form, having palm fronds and folia...

Original 1950s South African scrimshaw ostrich egg by late chief Sipho Ndlvu.

Charming pair of vintage shell encrusted trinket boxes featuring an abundant collage of natural seashells applied by hand. Each hinged box opens to reveal a bright red velvet-lined i...

18th century Italian bronze-gold crucifix with coordinating gold leaf shells and crystal points mounted on a crystal geode. The gold leaf shells adorn the crucifix and the base of th...

Great selection of marine specimens - sea shells, urchins, sand dollars, sea stars in display case.

Antique 19th century Anglo-Indian jewelry, trinket footed box, inlay with ebony, mosaic marquetry Sadeli work and a carved Hindu scene on top. The box case is made from sandalwood wi...

The "Coco" round box in black shagreen with bronze patina brass exudes unparalleled luxury and craftsmanship. Its impeccably quilted shagreen surface is a tactile masterpiece, echoin...

There is type of English sweet called a Licorice Allsort. They are made in different layers and some have little balls covering them. The red lacquer and the little white pieces of e...

Beautiful circular jewelry box with a fish designed and produced in Mexico during the 1970's. This artisanal set with abalone mother-of-pearl and alpaca, is a true work of art. We s...

A Vintage Large Natural South Pacific Giant Clam Shell The giant clams are the members of the clam genus Tridacna that are the largest living bivalve mollusks. The giant clam lives ...

Ruler Selenite with an 18th century Italian gold leaf fragment and natural forming baroque pearls on a lucite base. Ruler selenite or "selenite logs" are single, prismatic selenite crystals from Morocco that were formed in extensive beds by the evaporation of ocean brine. This mineral is characterized by a silky, pearly luster called satin spar. The piece is put together by Jean O'Reilly Barlow, the artist and creative director of Interi. The date of manufacture reflects when she created the piece and the period shows that the Italian fragment is originally 18th century. Interi transforms Italian artifacts...

18th century Italian gilded hand-carved fragment crest mounted on a golden, polished hematoid slab and adorned with baroque pearls. The gilded fragment was originally from a historic...

Fantastic Atlantic trumpet sea shell professionally mounted on a natural coral base ,artistically hand embedded with amethyst quartz crystal pieces ,Thant make a beautiful art object...

Striking and highly collectible sculptural work by celebrated Mexican designer Emilia Castillo for Los Castillo, one of the most important names in the Mexican silversmithing movemen...

Super cute one of a kind sea Shell encrusted jewelry box.

Sculptural 17th century hand-carved Florence Fragment mounted with a fossil shell with barnacles and adorned with crystals. This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found ...

1970s handmade domed top shell box.

A beautifully hand-crafted Ostrich Egg made into a box featuring refined brass closure details, an elegant acorn-form finial lid, and distinctive bone-style feet (the bone may be res...

Maitland Smith Mother Of Pearl Box. Offered is a very large decorative box of tessellated mother of pearl in the geometric Art Deco styl...

This late 19th century spectacle case has an elegant design of lacquered papier-mâché with mother-of-pearl inlay. The inlaid decoration depicts a spray of various flowers and is bord...

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. Talisa jewelry chest in cream shagreen, black pen shell and brass by R&Y Augousti is a stunning piece to store your personal items. This piece has 2 doors that open to 4 drawer compartments that have black velvet trays...

Beautiful MCM abalone shell and brass lidded trinket box with hard wood lining made in Mexico in the style of Los Castillios, circa 1960s. The piece is stamped on the underside “Made...

Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...

A lacquered and eggshell case by Jean Trottin. An impressive and very rare case created in Paris, France, by the silversmith and artist Jean Trottin, circa 1925. This exceptional Ar...

Water flowing over rocks creates a contrast between the sparkle of the water and the relative opacity of the rocks. In these boxes black lacquer pours over natural shells that glow a...

Presenting an absolutely gorgeous and very rare 19C Anglo Indian Vizigapatam stamp box. Made in Colonial India (the Time of the Raj) circa 1860. Prob...

I really do love these capiz faux flower arrangements. You usually find these hand crafted displays in a shell being used as the vase. But thi...

A beautiful Sea Shell of good size mounted on stand with metal rod... the base is also a very heavy piece of metal with nice detailing. The piece is a nice addition to any side tab...

Capture the essence of coastal charm and tropical whimsy with this delightful vintage toucan sculpture. Expertly handcrafted, this unique piece features a vibrant toucan figure metic...

A beautiful large scale swan trinket ball in silver plated metal and brass, with a large seashell. This great sculpture is by Gabriella Binazzi Italian c....

A gorgeous Art Nouveau or Art Deco period gilt bronze and inlaid abalone rocker ink blotter By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 5.75"W x 2.75"D x 1.75"H...

Vintage large sea shell encrusted humidor wood box in faux bois finish.

Cornucopia of nautilus shell and lizard mounted on bronze tree in the style of Tony Duqette attributed to Maitland Smith. Lizard has a beautiful tessellated panshell detail on the ba...

A French 19th century writing box made of exotic rosewood. The top of the petite trunk is inlaid with a small tile of mother-of-pearl, engraved for “Charlotte”. The case opens to rev...

A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period gilt bronze and inlaid abalone letter opener By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, early 20th century Measures: 10"W x 1"D x 0.38"H...

18th century Italian Carrara marble angel in a bleached turtle shell mounted on a polished alabaster base.  The bleached turtle shell emulates a bath for the angel. The angel is cra...

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Jade, Mother-Of-Pearl and Smoky Quartz, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt, rock-crystal, jade, obsidian, mother-of-pearl, and smoky quartz carved jeweled sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1991. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved smoky -quartz and jade horse with a harness mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst chains and pendants. The top columns adorned with 18k gold and brilliant cut diamond pendants, the bottom with gold and mother of pearl plaques. The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / N° 05 / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5003 D The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10.5" high x 8.5" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...

A pyramid shaped box having 4 graduating drawers with brass ball knobs . Made of polished pen shell which is a material that the manufacturer Maitland Smith often used. All sitting u...

Spectacular Sailors Valentines micro sea shells treasure box.

1980s decorative pen shell cube box attributed to Maitland Smith. Medium brown pen shell with dark gray tessellated stone accents. Wood lined box. No ma...

Polished Abalone (Haliotis Iris) shell with natural forming baroque pearls mounted on a metal rod on a polished agate base. The iridescent, multi-colored shell coordinates perfectly ...

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Boulle stationery box by Leuchars & Sons, dating to the late nineteenth century during the Victorian period, circa 1880. The box is of rectangular form with...

Abalone shell veneered box of rectangular form with domed top and lined with rosewood. Marked Taxco on the bottom.

Elegant round decorative box featuring a brass frame with intricate mother-of-pearl inlay arranged in a diamond pattern across the lid and sides. The luminous iridescence of the shel...

Louis XV tortoiseshell Boulle Timepiece with ‘Silent’ pull quarter repeat by St. Martin, Paris, circa 1720 Waisted case with fine ormolu mounts and cut brass inlay to the stained tortoiseshell with ‘mother of pearl’ and coloured floral decoration. Gilded top surmounted by a cherub feeding through a straw from a scallop shell over leafy corner mounts. Shaped bead-bordered glazed door applied with an apron mount of a child chromos holding a sandglass and staff, set within a leafy trail surround. Brass lined recessed arch windows to the sides, the interior of the case with symmetrical Rococo panel...

A stunning Japanese Edo period lacquer tanzakubako, box for poem cards, late 18th-early 19th century, Edo Period, Japan. Attributed to the Igarashi School, this box is masterfully ...

This a monumental clam shell displayed on a Victorian black wrought iron plant stand. Both are very heavy and in very good condition. Plant stand: 12” triangle x 39.75”H.

Vintage Conus seashell box with sterling silver mounts - side hinge - unidentified hallmarks to the interior (.925 silver) - Italy (Florence - likely) - m...

Fossil agate coral adorned with iridescent fossil ammonites. The grey piece of fossil agate coral is cut and polished and adorned with the iridescent...