18th – 19th century, Nagaland, India
These shells were cut from the center of South Indian Ocean chank shells (Turbinella pyrum), which are very similar to conch shells, just another closely related species. That shell cutting industry in South India has not been active for more than one hundred and fifty years. In some cases, the shells were actually drilled and made into wearable beads by Angami Nagas, who would have traded for them via Assam, India. Each is different but all come from the same species of mollusk.
Jewels bought a large collection of these shells but that means not all are workable for her designs and only one, this one, was perfect for this design, hanging vertically from our hand woven cord and ever so chic.
One of a kind
Shell: 2 1/2 x 3/4 x 3/8″
Hand woven cord length: 32″
Hand woven cord length: 32″