Shell Sculptures

18th century Italian hand-carved and gilded crown adorned with rutile quartz crystals and baroque pearls. It is mounted on a coordinating gilded fragment with a metal crown base that...

18th century Italian hand-carved and gilded crown adorned with polished agate slices and baroque pearls. It is mounted on a coordinating gilded fragment and free-forming agate coral ...

19th century mother-of-pearl crucifix adorned with baroque pearls and mounted on optical calcite. This is a crucifix reliquary from Jerusalem (which is written on the back), created ...

Ammonite Fossil Specimen Mortoniceras (Angolaites) Drakei 110 Million Yrs Old (apx). ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing in May and items will not be available thereafter. We are w...

18th century Italian hand-carved gold-leaf angel holding a torch with a Himalayan diamond flame and a coordinating naturally formed baroque pearl. The Himalayan diamond takes the pl...

90+ Million Years Old Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite Fossil ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing in May and items will not be available thereafter. The Conlinoceras Tarrantense A...

Large Giant Clam Shell Natural Specimen, Tridacna Gigas, Organic Modern Decor. ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing in May and items will not be available thereafter. We think thou...

Polished Ammonite Fossil with Red Flashes, Around 110 Million Years Old, with Beautiful Glowing / Iridescent Flashes of Color and some leafy patterns peaking out. ***NOTE: Our 1stDib...

Natural Blue Coral Specimen, Real. Beautiful Deep Blue w/Whitish at Bottom. ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing in May and items will not be available thereafter.*** This is an abs...

Extra Large Jurassic Ammonite Fossil with Leafy Suture Patterns. Comes with a second, tiny (1.25 x 1 x .5) ammonite, further demonstrating the size of this one. ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs...

This mesmerising, iridescent ammonite fossil is a dazzling natural masterpiece dating to the Late Cretaceous, around 75 million years ago. This specimen was discovered in the renowne...

For centuries, the polished nautilus shell ranked among the most coveted objects in the European Wunderkammer — its perfect logarithmic spiral so extraordinary that Renaissance golds...

An intricate natural conch shell clad in sterling silver showcasing it's sculptural ridges & beautiful organic form. The interior reveals a pearly white finish, adding contrast t...

XL Jurassic Ammonite Fossil 15.5 x 14 x 5.5 Inches Apx, with Nice Ribs. We think this is a Kranaosphinctes species. ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing in May and items will not b...

A beautiful and rare 'Stix' seashell by Austrian designer Marguerite Stix, circa 1960s, New York, New York. Marguerite Stix was a designer, sculptor, jeweler and ceramicist known for her later work with shells. This Stix piece is a natural seashell...

Inspired by the rebellious Ariel from The Little Mermaid, whose greatest wish was to become part of the human world. Artisème in collaboration with Lukáš Houdek brings these beautifu...

This dazzling, iridescent ammonite fossil is a spectacular natural masterpiece dating to the Late Cretaceous, around 75 million years ago. This specimen was discovered in the renowne...

Decorative fresh water turtle shell professionally mounted on genuine coral base, the shell cleaned and seal with clear protective satin finish. Beautifu...

A spectacular iridescent ammonite from the Late Cretaceous period, circa 75 million years ago. From the Bearpaw Formation of Alberta, Canada, renowned for the exceptional preservat...

PRESENTING A ‘FANTASTICALLY’ RARE, EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY and MUSEUM QUALITY Pair of Regency Shell Art Floral Bouquets under Glass Domes. Made in Englan...

Large Vintage Reef Coral Natural Specimen, Real. (ships in USA only) Beach Decor . ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing in May and items will not be available thereafter.*** A stun...

Intriguing good looking mask artistically made of combination of hand crafted beads ,shells , and hand painted wood. To make such a exceptional object of art for display. Custom-mad...

This 1960s Seashell Sculpture features a crowned Baeler melon seashell The melon shell has a distinctive crown of spines that circles around the apex of the shell Curved metal detai...

A Stunning Knobby Ammonite Fossil Specimen, About 93 Million Years Old ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing in May and items will not be available thereafter.*** This is a very beau...

A large and beautiful Conch Shell - a Compliment to any cocktail table and especially those that are near water or the sea. A true piece of natures are that will mix well with any s...

Vintage Triton conch seashell placed upon a solid brass Koi fish stand, circa Mid 20th Century. This unique and rare coastal item is an exotic table sculpture that will look great pl...

18th century Italian hand-carved and gilded crown adorned with natural forming baroque pearls and cross-shaped baroque pearls with smoky quartz points. It is mounted on a coordinatin...

This is a wonderful Gigas Tridacna (clam) shell. It has a wonderful intact shape with a very white interior This shell came from an estate that had in its collection for many years.

Vintage articulated abalone shell fish sculpture / bottle opener by Los Castillo Taco, Mexico, circa 1960s. The piece is well detailed and patinated. The...

Sago peg, tapak, Abelam/Wosera people, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea Sago pegs are used to secure a screen mesh during the preparation of sago flour. This example depicts a ...

Amusing Rhinoceros object of art crafted with an ostrich egg and silvered, hammered metal head, legs and tail.

Italian sculpture from the second half of the 20th century. Creation of a water bird composed of a large shell and exquisite silver-plated metal elements. Stamped on the underside (o...

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...

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...

A beautifully crafted tabletop sculpture combining silvered bronze and faux tortoiseshell made from penshell, dating from the mid to late 1970s. This piece exemplifies the era’s fasc...

A beautiful hand carved cameo on conch shell made in Italy, circa 1980s. The piece is in excellent condition and measures 5" W x 3.5" D x 3.25" H. #4843

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...

Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite Fossil, 90-100M Years Old, USA. ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing in May and items will not be available thereafter.*** The Conlinoceras Tarrant...

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...

This is a wonderful Gigas Tridacna also known as clam shell from the ocean in great condition

Authentic giant clam shell specimen with its iconic sculptural form and sea inspired colors and textures.

Inspired by the rebellious Ariel from The Little Mermaid, whose greatest wish was to become part of the human world. Artisème in collaboration with Lukáš Houdek brings these beautifu...

18th century Italian silk-wrapped octagonal wall piece with original gilded sunrays and adorned with coordinating mother-of-pearl with gold highlights and a cross-shaped baroque pear...

This giant Pacific clam shell is all natural and with wonderful details. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FROM OUR MIAMI, FLORIDA SHOWROOM.

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

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...

Set of three graduated spheres with a wonderful eggshell lacquered finish in a triangular patterns. Clearly hand carved, none are exact spheres which only adds to their charm. This a...

Decorative fresh water turtle shell professionally mounted on genuine coral base, the shell cleaned and seal with clear protective satin finish. Beautiful natural piece of art for di...

Decorative fresh water turtle shell professionally mounted on solid brass base, the shell is cleaned and seal with clear protective satin finish. And the back is upholstered with fi...

Pair of 18th century Italian gold-leaf fragments adorned with an oyster shell top with natural-forming baroque pearls on an optical calcite base. The pair of Italian fragments are ha...

Fully enamelled and hand-painted shell Features the F.D. monogram A magnificent objet d’art produced in Italy in the purest Art Deco style. This shell is decorated with incredible s...

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 stunning neoclassical or Grand Tour style coquillage shell encrusted obelisk USA, Late 20th Century Measures: 7.75"W x 7.75"D x 30.5"H. Very good original vintage condition.

Mid century Italian nautilus shell enhanced with silver plate overlay and presented on a silvered faux rock base. Signed Ruzzetti & Gow on the bottom.

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 ...

Impressive branch and cauliflower coral assemblage hand crafted in specimens with mother nature's sea inspired colors and forms. Presented on a lucite base to enhance its sculptural ...

An elegant decorative composition featuring a selection of natural seashells arranged on a fluted, silver-plated metal base. The variety of shapes, textures, and tones—from pearly wh...

Deconstructed Lobster (Homarus Gammarus) Specimen Under Glass Dome. The European lobster, scientifically referred to as Homarus gammarus or commonly known as the common lobster, is ...

Conlinoceras Tarrantense Ammonite Fossil, 90-100 Million Years Old. ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing in May and items will not be available thereafter. The Conlinoceras Tarran...

A beautiful natural seashell from the sea, circa ealry-20th century or earlier. Shell appears to be what is called a 'great rapa chank', with origin off the cost of Sri Lanka. A beau...