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All auctions / Ethnographic / Extra Large Iridescent Mother-of-Pearl Turban Shell...
Sample of a worked Turbo Marmoratus shell in mother-of-pearl. — This extraordinary specimen of Turbo marmoratus has been skillfully worked to remove the outer layer of the shell, revealing the magnificent and luminous underlying mother-of-pearl surface. With exceptional dimensions of 208 mm, this shell presents a monumental presence, combining notable malacological interest with a high ornamental value and a surprising richness of color. The meticulous workmanship has brought to light the nacreous material accumulated by the mollusk during growth, carefully ground and polished to enhance its intrinsic beauty. The mother-of-pearl surface displays a bright white-silver base, animated by iridescent reflections that dynamically change with each variation in the light angle. Hues of delicate pink, turquoise, ethereal blue, lilac, pale gold, and subtle violet tones emerge and disappear, creating a color kaleidoscope of great impact. The original shape of the shell, with its large aperture and imposing spiral development, has been preserved, allowing appreciation of its natural architecture. Particularly evocative is the apex view, from which the entire spiral development can be followed. The concentric turns intertwine harmoniously around the small apex, accentuated by fine dark lines that mark the residues of the natural separations between different growth stages. The polish gives the spiral an almost sculptural look, akin to a geometric construction shaped by light. The broad, convex dorsum presents vast patches of mother-of-pearl where iridescence assumes a nearly painterly character, with pink and green zones overlapping silvery reflections of intense brightness. Gentle undulations and surface variations testify to the shell’s original structure. In some places, natural green chromatic traces and irregularities related to the initial conformation of the shell before the work are visible. The mother-of-pearl is composed of very thin layers of calcium carbonate, predominantly aragonite, bound by an organic matrix. It is the particular microscopic arrangement of these layers that interacts with light, splitting it into the colors of the spectrum and generating the optical phenomenon of iridescence. Turbo marmoratus, also known as the Green Turban Shell, is a large marine gastropod belonging to the family Turbinidae, distributed in tropical regions of the Indo-Pacific. The species is famous for the robustness of its shell and for its thick mother-of-pearl layer, historically used in button production, inlays, jewelry, and decorative objects. The remarkable dimensions of this specimen make it a particularly significant piece, allowing a clear observation of the progression of the turns, the solidity of the lip, the width of the opening, and the substantial amount of nacreous material accumulated during the mollusk’s life. This exceptional Turbo marmoratus, with its 208 mm and 1084 grams, has been transformed by the workmanship into a magnificent architecture of pure mother-of-pearl, a collectible shell where the precision of the spiral meets light, color, and the sea’s matter, ideal for enriching a Wunderkammer or a prestigious decorative environment. Condition: Good. Any irregularities and chromatic variations are part of the natural formation of the shell and its original traces before polishing. Small imperfections are inherent to artisanal workmanship to reveal the mother-of-pearl.
Estimate:$481.97
To the auctionView all items fromCatawikiorEthnographic
Estimate:
$481.97
Y A SOLOMON ISLANDS CANOE PROW, NGUZUNGUZU, NEW GEORGIA, SOLOMON ISLANDS
09/09/2026
$12,837.05
Est: $1,079.36
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