Shells and Bone

Locally found Cowrie Shells were the first recorded currency used on the continent of Africa, dating from many thousands of years ago. These pages contain various shell and bone items, both used in antiquity and for their present day decorative purposes.

Click on the Pictures or Links below to be taken to the relevant pages

Mauritanian
Decorated Conus
Shell Singles
Strands

Cowrie Shell
 "Choker"
Necklaces and
 Leather Belts


ADDITIONS
Branch Coral
from the
Algerian
Mediterranean
-
Coral "Comforter"

Snake Vertebrae

Ancient Shell
Collections
from
Mali

"Hippo Teeth"
Necklace
and
"Camel Tooth"
Spheres

Modern Necklaces

Ostrich and Mussel
Shell beads
from
The Skeleton Coast of
Namibia

Historic
Ostrich Egg
and
Cowrie Shell Collections

Cow Bone
from
East Africa
-

ADDITIONS
Large Strands

Dyed Coral
found in
Benin

Bone & Tusk
Beads
from
West Africa

Matching pairs
of
Bush Pig
Tusks

Antique Ivory

Single
Marine and Freshwater
Shells

Large Collections
for D.I.Y.
Projects

Clam Shell
Barrels

Freshwater Pearls
from Ghana

Freshwater
and
Giant
West African
Land Snail
Shells

Fish
Vertebrae
 Necklaces

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