Iridescent Mother-of-Pearl with a Natural Spiral Shiva's...

This handcrafted pendant, originating from Bali, represents a masterful synthesis between natural matter and ethnic symbolism. The piece is conceived as a large arched form that evokes a ritual tusk, a visually striking amulet. The main body is entirely carved from a thick block of mother-of-pearl, while the summit is enriched by a silver setting that inlays a natural operculum known as the “Eye of Shiva.” The mother-of-pearl tusk is the heart of the piece. Its surface, smooth and perfectly polished, reveals the complex structure of nacre, the organic material that coats the inside of some mollusk shells. Looking at the pendant, one appreciates a pearlescent shine threaded with delicate iridescence and orient, with reflections that shift from cream white to pale pinkish and greenish tones depending on the light. The form is elegant and powerful, a flowing arch that blends solid materiality with visual lightness. To crown the pendant is a cap in solid silver, worked in a deliberately rustic style that emphasizes its tribal character. A light patina darkens the metal’s recessed areas, creating a suggestive contrast with its shiny surface and with the whiteness of the mother-of-pearl. Four small silver spheres surround the central element, a circular and convex cabochon. This insert is the Eye of Shiva, the calcareous operculum of the gastropod Turbo petholatus. This small natural shield, which the animal uses to close the opening of its shell, is famous for the perfectly designed logarithmic spiral on its surface. In this specimen, the spiral is tinged with warm honey tones on a white porcelain background, creating a hypnotic pattern. Traditionally, in many Eastern cultures, the Eye of Shiva is considered a protective talisman, a symbol of the deity’s third eye and inner vision capable of looking beyond appearances. The creation of this jewel testifies to the Balinese artisans’ skill in transforming natural elements into objects laden with meaning. The tusk’s shape, an archetype of strength and protection present in countless cultures, is softened and ennobled here by the use of mother-of-pearl, a material associated with purity and the sea. The result is a contemporary amulet that dialogues with an ancestral tradition, uniting the marine world with a sculptural aesthetic. For its strong visual presence and symbolic richness, this pendant qualifies as an object of great interest both to collectors of ethnic jewelry and to anyone who appreciates the uniqueness of artisanal creations. It is not a mere ornament, but a small piece of natural history transformed into wearable art, a fragment of Wunderkammer that encompasses the elegance of nature and the knowledge of ancient traditions. Technical details Name: Mother-of-Pearl Pendant with Eye of Shiva Classification: Biogenic (Mother-of-Pearl, Operculum) Provenance: Bali, Indonesia Dimensions: 94 x 19 x 15 mm Weight: 32 g Material: Mother-of-Pearl, Turbo petholatus operculum, Silver (unmarked)

Estimate:$449.05

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