Mother-of-Pearl Sculptures

A vey nice mother of pearl / abalone shell handmade fish sculpture, circa 1990s. The piece is well detailed and the craftsmanship is amazing. The sculpture is in very good condition;...

Pair of 18th century Italian fragments with a gold flower relief decorated with natural forming baroque pearls to emulate the flower on a matrix of barite and double terminated calci...

Pair of large branches of Mediterranean red coral (Corallium Rubrum). Gilt bronze bases with phytomorphic calyx stem. Connection with an oval element in Lapis Lazuli and two spirals ...

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 rare large polished quartz geode with cream and golden hues and naturally forming crystal druzy formations. This specimen is from the Appalachian region of Kentucky. This was dug by hand and includes golden druzy crystal formations. This is a particularly large geode specimen...

In Renaissance Style with various shaped applied stones and strap-like figures in front and back, the silver lid opens as box.

Black polished abalone shell on obsidian with baroque pearls. Abalone shells are known for their iridescent and pearlescent features. This rare form of abalone has a mostly black o...

Large white crystal quartz geode split into two halves each with a large naturally forming baroque pearl. Geodes are formed as gas bubbles within volcanic lava. Over time, the lava ...

Sculptural 18th century Italian crucifix mounted on jasper with crystal points. The crystal points create more sunrays around the halo of the crucifix. The reddish tips of the crysta...

Charming vintage turtle sculpture or object of art crafted in bronze with a mother of pearl shell. Signed Maitland-Smith on the bottom.

A lovely northern Thai cast bronze seated meditating Buddha statue with shell inlaid eyes, style of Wat Chedi Luang, Lan Na Kingdom, region of Chiang Mai, 15th-16th century.  The statue of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, is portrayed in dhyanasana, seated upon a double lotus pedestal atop a raised platform. His legs in virasana, the half lotus position, hands in dhyana mudra, the gesture of meditation. The Buddha's face is youthful and pleasant, reminiscent of faces of contemporaneous Sukhothai Buddha...

Sculptural 18th century Italian cross with fossil agate coral and mounted on fossil coral. The fossil agate coral and fossil coral are put together with the 18th century cross to lo...

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...

Sculptural 18th century Italian cross mounted on smoky quartz crystals in matrix with pyrite formations. The center of the cross has an abstract figure of Christ created from acrylic crystals. The missing sunrays are replaced with the smoky quartz crystal points...

Blue heart shaped celestite geode adorned with a coordinating naturally forming baroque pearl. The name for this specific geode is derived from the Latin word Caelestis, meaning "ce...

Two good Franz Bergmann Austrian cold painted bronze figures now mounted in highly architectural Moroccan Moorish style carved and inlaid wood brackets, early 20th century, Austria a...

Arts And Crafts Periode Italian Pyramid made out of pieces polished Mother of Pearl shells over wood Sculpture. Reflects the light in a warm and elegant shimmer. Beautiful crafted wi...

18th century Italian gilded candlestick mounted with a pearlescent oyster shell and adorned with gold leaf shells. The 18th century Italian candlestick is originally from a histori...

18th century Italian cross mounted on a polished pink hematite quartz heart and adorned with aurora (sunset) quartz and a natural-forming cross shaped baroque pearl. The 18th centu...

Sculptural 'Sacred Heart' - 18th century Italian gilded angel mounted on a polished red hematoid quartz heart and adorned with a natural-forming baroque pearl. The piece is inspired ...

Sculptural 18th century Italian mecca miniature fragment with fossil agate coral. The fragment was originally part of an 18th century Italian candlestick from a historic church. I...

18th century Italian crucifix with gold-plated kyanite, calcite crystals in matrix, and baroque pearls. The crucifix is originally from a church in Liguria. It is hand-carved and pai...

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...

Sculptural Sacred Heart - 18th century Italian sunray mounted on a yellow hematoid heart and adorned with yellow crystal quartz points. The piece is inspired by "The Sacred Heart" in...

A large Holy Land mother-of-pearl, abalone shell and olive wood icon Jerusalem, early 20th century Icon: height 55.5cm, width 52cm, depth 18cm Case: height 15.5cm, width 61.5cm, depth 57.5cm In fitted case, presented by the President of the Senate...

18th century Italian gilded bouquet fragment mounted on a golden, polished hematoid slab and adorned with baroque pearls. The piece is put together by Jean O'Reilly Barlow, the art...

Elegant pair of birds in white ivory stone with beige fossil stone mounted on a square base. The beaks as well as the bases are in mother-of-pearl. Makers mark underneath, Marquis Co...

Amethyst slice with calcite deposits and a Baroque natural forming pearl on a polished wood base. This amethyst is rare in how large it is and how it...

Amethyst slice with a baroque natural forming pearl on a polished wood base. This amethyst is rare in how large it is, its beautiful shape, and its l...

18th century Italian fragment adorned with baroque pearls and mounted on a optical calcite base. The fragment originally came from a historical church in Italy. It is adorned with na...

Ruler Selenite with an 18th century Italian gold leaf fragment. Mica, 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 but the Italian fragment is originally 18th century. Interi transforms Italian artifacts...

A finely carved natural Aber Specimen group of nesting snakes, featuring a large, very clear amber specimen from Chiapas, Mexico, a carving representing two snakes intertwined around a tree trunk rests within a section of natural moose antler which cleverly represents the base of the tree. A mother-of-pearl carved egg form tops the display. On a jet base with an amber piece giving the impression of an imbedded sphere. Offered with a custom-fitted Balinese fabric...

18th century Italian gilded and hand-painted processional finial with baroque pearls and mounted on malachite. The piece was originally part of a processional pole...

Large white crystal quartz geode with a large naturally forming baroque pearl. 28lbs. Geodes are formed as gas bubbles within volcanic lava. Over time, the lava flow weathers away to leave the quartz geode buried deep in the Moroccan desert. This was dug by hand and includes druzy white crystal formations. This is a large geode specimen...

Pair of 18th century Italian scroll candlesticks adorned with natural forming copper and natural forming baroque pearls mounted on copper in matrix. These candlesticks were once us...

A rare and beautiful Thai cast and gilt bronze seated Buddha with shell inlaid eyes, style of Wat Chedi Luang, Lan Na Kingdom, Northern Thailand, region of Chiang Mai, late 15th cent...

17th century Italian gold leaf fragment with pyrophyllite in matrix and decorated with baroque pearls. This fragment was originally a candlestick from a church in Italy. The pyrophy...

A beautiful collection of five shells engraved from the Holy Land depicts a religion scenes, three of them depicts the last supper in Jerusalem, the other two depicts scenes from the...

A circa 1960 silver plated bird with mother-of-pearl insets. Measurements: Height: 27" Width: 20" Depth: 14".

18th-century distressed Italian mecca arrow with a baroque pearl on a polished calcite base. The arrow was once part of a decorative motif in an artistic depiction in historic Itali...

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...

18th century Italian gold leaf angel head or "putto" adorned with baroque pearls. A putto is a cherub figure frequently appearing in both mythological and religious paintings and scu...

Kyanite adorned with silver leaf shells, silver plated kyanite, and natural-forming baroque pearls. This is one of the largest forms of kyanite found. It is incredibly rare and almos...

Sculptural 18th century Italian mecca vase mounted with mica and tourmaline and adorned natural-forming baroque pearls. The mica and baroque pearls perfe...

18th century Italian "Young John the Baptist" painting framed with purple and yellow fluorite. The painting original came from Tuscany and depicts him as a young man with a lamb. Thi...

"Cauliflower" fossil agate coral adorned with natural-forming baroque pearls and shells. Fossil agate coral is Florida's state stone and is known for its unique formation that can take place over 20 million years. It's a natural gemstone that is created when prehistoric coral is gradually replaced with agate. This is a complete piece of fossil coral head...

18th century Italian gold leaf altar stick with a Chesapecten plated fossil scallop shell and natural forming Baroque pearls. The Chesapecten plate...

A rare sculptural quartz geode in matrix with a natural formed crystal and baroque pearl. This specimen is from the Appalachian region of North Carolina. This was dug by hand and in...

18th century Italian gilded and hand-painted processional finial with baroque pearls and adventurine and mounted on honey calcite. The piece was originally part of a processional pole...

Sculptural 18th century Italian candlestick mounted on chalcopyrite and adorned with baroque pearls. This fragment was originally part of a candlestick from a historical church in I...

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 sunray with baroque pearls mounted on an aragonite crystal base. The 18th century gold leaf sunray originally part of a halo or sunburst motif in an artistic depiction in a historic church. It is mounted onto the white aragonite...

Citrine crystals in matrix mounted on a gilded 18th century Italian base. The citrine crystal specimen is adorned with baroque pearls and it sits in a bed of crushed crystals and coo...

18th century Italian mecca processional cross on a calcite crystal base in matrix with coordinating baroque pearls. The calcite crystal cluster in matrix is from Elmwood Mine in T...

A pair of 18th century Italian silver leaf candlestick tops with polished agate coral and baroque pearls. The hand-carved, silver lea...

A pair of ruler selenite on lucite bases. 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 a crystallized form of gypsum and is characterized by a silky, pearly luster called satin spare. Interi transforms Italian artifacts...

18th century Italian gold leaf altar stick with a Chesapecten plated fossil scallop shell and natural forming Baroque pearls. The Chesapecten plate...

Sculptural 18th century Italian ribbon fragment with natural-forming baroque pearls on a selenite slab. The Italian ribbon fragment original came from a...

18th century Italian candlestick top decorated with sunset cactus quartz and a baroque pearl. The gold leaf candlestick top originally came from an 18th century Italian candlestic...

18th century Italian candlestick top with polished agate coral and a baroque pearl. The 18th century candlestick top originally came from a candlestick from a church in Tuscany. T...