Shell Folk Art

Sailor's Keepsake: Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama 🐚 ________________________________________ This is a charming and historically evocative Edwardian Shellwork Diorama, a clas...

Charming vintage sailors valentine handcrafted with exotic organic seashells ambitiously arranged around a distressed mirror. Presented under glass in an octagon wood shadow box.

Lovely almost pair of sea shells encrusted flower pots / planters.

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...

Rare and unusual English 19th century sailors valentine handcrafted with exotic seashells. Around images with figures and architecture. Under a convex lens.

Charming vintage sailors valentine ambitiously handcrafted in exotic organic seashells with a center heart motif surrounded by star form compartments. Presented under glass in an oct...

Hand-wrought circa 1960s copper and brass grasshopper centerpiece sculpture with abalone inlay eyes and legs. Signed underneath, COBRE MEXICO. Also ...

Antique Large Sailor's Valentine in Mahogany Case, circa 1880, a hand-crafted shell collage with heart and rosebuds pattern within an eight-pointed star, set in a large mahogany octa...

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

Antique Large Sailor's Valentine in Ebonized Case, circa 1920, a hand-crafted shell collage with hear and rosebuds pattern set in a large ebonized octagonal shadowbox, wired on the r...

Papua New Guinea: Talipun, Boiken, Sepik River Region  Northern Papua New Guinea, 20th Century  A fine example of the rich cultural heritage of Papua New ...

A small shell encrusted owl created by hand from seashells. This piece depicts a bird, sitting upon a perch, with small eyes and plumage decorated from different color seashells. ...

We kindly invite you to read the full description below, as it contains detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity and value of our pieces. An original ...

Antique Double Sailor's Valentine, circa 1880, a pair of handcrafted shell collages mounted in mahogany octagonal shadowboxes, hinged together and mounted with a clasp and a chain for hanging. This valentine features a heart and the message "Forget Me Not." The valentine is in great condition, but does of course have a few shells that have come loose over the past century and a half. The cases remain in great condition as well. Each Measures: 9-1/8 in H x 9-1/8 in W Victorians in the Age of Exploration and its accompanying Eclectic Movement embraced arts and crafts from around the world. Shell boxes are frequently seen, and even the odd shell diorama...

A natural hand-crafted sea shell encrusted anchor wall hanging. Created from wood, this piece is in the shape of a boat anchor, and features applied natural sea shells of all colors....

This handcrafted birchwood totem offers a stylized depiction of an inuit man. The facial features, consistent with native carving of this region, recall the style of Japanese kabuki masks...

Bamileke headdress, originating from the Bamileke ethnic group in Cameroon, is ceremonial and symbolic artifacts used in traditional ceremonies and rituals. It is crafted using natur...

18th century exceptional Italian carved wood and polychromed figure depicting baby Jesus holding the world in his hand, he has halo made from sterling silver and the globe is also sterling silver.This piece would have originally been dressed in an elaborate gown and would have been changed into different attire depending on the holy season. Extremely detailed and the carving is exceptional. this piece came from a very reputable merchant in Verona, I did inherit it from my mother in Law...

A striking example of French popular craftsmanship from the 1970s, this vase is entirely composed of natural seashells meticulously strung on wire, creating a sculptural yet decorati...

This belt is a traditional ceremonial men's ornament, knotted from a strong heavy handmade cord and showing a dark patina vegetable dye. Two rows of cowries are used to cover the su...

20th Century Tribal Kina Shell Pectoral Necklace by unknown jeweler Kina shells were traditionally worn in the western highlands of Papua New Guinea as pectorals, either with a fibe...

Vintage Design Sei pronto ad aggiungere un pezzo di storia del gioco d'azzardo e un elemento di arredo di prestigio ineguagliabile alla tua collezione?

A truly exceptional example of a vintage 1970s Zuni three strand fetish necklace. The necklace is stung with Heishi Shell Beads and with fetishes carved in Turquoise, Spiny Oyster, Amber, Mother-Of-Pearl, Pipestone, Abalone Shell, Varasite, Dolomite, and Septarian. This piece is in excellent original condition with no broken fetishes. The necklace length is 25 inches. This Zuni Fetish necklace...

Mid-20th century tribal beaded cache-sex modesty apron (Pikuran), Mandara Mountains, Cameroon These colorful cache-sex were worn for celebrations, rituals...

Long rectangular shell encrusted box. Carefully applied shells decorate the top and bottom edges of this green board box in a variety of colors. ...

Charming 19th Century English heart form sailors valentine ambitiously handcrafted with exotic seashells around a sailboat image as seen through a glass lens.

A male necklace from the Asmat Village, Papua New Guinea. Four rows of large polished white cowrie shells in two sizes, seamlessly sewn onto a cotton macramé base, which has been ha...

A male necklace from the Asmat Village, Papua New Guinea. Large cone shells in concentric rows, seamlessly sewn onto a cotton macrame base, which has been hand-knotted around a sem...

A rare and poetic decorative object, this figurine represents a lady in romantic 19th-century costume. Entirely handcrafted, the skirt is composed of scallop shells, beautifully arra...

This beautiful large clamshell swan is designed and handmade by Gabriella Binazzi. She creates original and unique objects using strange materials such...

Mid-20th century tribal beaded cache-sexe modesty apron (pikuran), Mandara Mountains, Cameroon These colorful cache-sexe were worn for celebrations, rit...

This Zuni Indigenous American sterling silver and inlaid gemstone figural rabbit brooch or pendant was made by Porfillo and Ann Sheyka. The piece was handmade in most likely the late...

A beautiful sailor’s valentine with intricate shellwork under glass, in an octagonal mahogany case with raised shell decoration carved by master cabinetmaker Donald Dunlap of Antrim,...

Set of Three Hungarian Decorated Goose Eggs, Eozin Glaze and Scratched Motifs Hand-Decorated Goose Egg Set, Rural Hungarian Craft Tradition A set of three hand-decorated goose eggs...

In Kuba society, title holding is dominated by men; there are only two titles held by women. Headdresses were and are the most visible expression of o...

A large tall lucky sea shell encrusted elephant statue or figurine. Covered in shells, this elephant stands with its trunk up pointed toward the sky. In Southeast Asia, elephants wit...

Pre-reservation Cheyenne dress. Hand-sewn, pieced together; blue trade cloth, ribbon-like edging, cowry shell cape on both sides. This piece without any restoration. Hard to find thi...

Doll by Emma Amiotte, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S. Dakota A wonderful "No Face Doll", probably made by Emma Amiotte. The green wool dress is adorned with small glass beads on t...

Doll by Emma Amiotte, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S. Dakota A "No Face Doll" by the artist Emma Amiotte, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, part of the Oglala Lakota Nation, who...

African Dan Yakuba Guard Mask Small Shells and Bells from the Ivory Coast 1970s Female wooden mask with rich decoration of textile elements, small shells and ceramic beads. The mouth...

This intricately-constructed colorful train was painstakingly created by Yoruba artisans in Nigeria in the mid-20th century. Recent designs such as this were based upon sashes that s...

This piece is an excellent example of an adornment used by Abelam warriors to frighten their enemies. They are held in a warrior’s mouth for courage and to intimidate their adversary...

Pair of male and female African figures made of carved wood with capes made of sea shells. Each figure stands 11 1/2" tall x 6 1/2" wide.

magnificent and rare vintage Berkel's Model 23 flywheel slicer, a true gem of engineering and design. This model was produced in the historical period between 1928 and 1936, and is p...

Set of Six Hungarian Decorated Chicken Eggs, Eozin Glaze and Scratched Motifs Hand-Decorated Small Chicken Egg Set, Rural Hungarian Craft Tradition A set of six small hand-decorate...

Exquisite handcrafted Middle Eastern mosaic marquetry inlaid walnut wood box. Small box intricately decorated with Moorish motif designs which h...

Mid-20th century tribal beaded cache-sexe modesty apron (pikuran), Bana Guili people, Mandara Mountains, Cameroon An unusual cache-sexe made of blue and yellow beads so scattered ...

Beautiful 3 legged sewing stand in black lacquer with Mother of Pearl inlay. Gold stenciling on the base. Fabulously decorated. A mirror on the inside of the top lid. Lots of storage...

Probably Papua New Guinea, or Borneo, Dayak, late 19th/early 20th century H. approx. 12 cm (incl. stand, each) Provenance: Private collection, Flanders

An English shell grotto modelled on a cottage, with doors and a glazed window with mirror interior. Nicely worked throughout with no losses.

A wonderful folk art rectangular shellwork table featuring a top with foliate polychrome sand design around shells under glass, with the entire surface of the sides and legs covered with small seashells set...

19th century Sioux boy's dentalia shell breastplate. Antique dentalia shell with patinaed brass accents. Leather down center with hide ties. A rare piece that would make a perfect ad...

Traditionally worn as a symbol of rank and title, this beautiful Kuba chieftain's cap (laket mishiing) is embellished with cowrie shells and rows of blue, white and black glass beads. The body of the hat has been fashioned from raffia fibre using the woven basketry technique, and displays the typical form of the Kuba 'laket' cap, with four scallop-shaped 'ears'. When worn, one of the 'ears' would have been squarely positioned at the front of the wearer's forehead. Given to Kuba men upon completion of an initiation rite, small dome-shaped raffia hats signalled their transformation into mature members of Kuba society. As a Kuba man moved up the social ladder, his headgear would change, with male titleholders commissioning local artisans to produce splendidly decorated prestige hats to signal his rank. The accumulation of materials on a Kuba man’s hat...

The arrangement of these antique shells, meticulously strung together, creates a harmonious symphony of textures and tones. Their timeless elegance and natural radiance make this nec...

Papua New Guinea, Central Highlands, Huli people, 1st half 20th century Crafted from the wearer’s own hair and adorned with colorful bird-of-paradise feathers, flowers, scarab beetl...

Set of four English Regency paper mâché painted and gilt nest of tables with shell, coral and mother-of-pearl inlaid checker board top. Tables are ...

Wonderful Sculpture by the noted German born Tahitian artist Andreas Dettloff. The sculpture is titled “My Polynesian Heart” and dated 2003. It, or an extremely similar one is depict...

The Ntomo mask is used during initiation rituals for youths in Bamana societies of West Africa. It is recognizable by its upper part shaped like a comb, with three to eight horns sym...

The Ntomo mask is used during initiation rituals in West Africa. It is identifiable by its horns, which range from three to eight. The Bamana, also known as the Bambara, live in Mali...

Pendleton Indian Design camp blanket with a masonic symbol in the center of the blanket.