18th – 19th century, Nagaland, NE 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 a while back and found that only one was perfect for this design, hanging vertically from our hand woven cord and ever so chic. It was in such demand that she found another, this one, of course not exact. The cord is a soft golden color and so perfectly woven, soft and supple.
One of a kind
Shell: 1 1/2 x 5/8″
Hand woven cord length: 20.5″
Hand woven cord length: 20.5″
A note about our woven cords. We weave these by hand, every one of them. Like all Jewels’ work no two are exact, as each of us. The work is labor intensive. When warmed to the skin the cord becomes more supple, conforms to the wearer, hangs at it should; the necklace transforms more than just a necklace. It becomes her.