She sells sea shells

On our brief trip to the West Coast, we visited the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum in Sanibel. They have a really amazing shell collection, and so much information on each one. Fortunately photos were permitted, so I got a few shots of some the pretty things that have been created using shells.

I thought his Victorian decorative screen was particularly beautiful.

Here is a gallery of some of the smaller artefacts. (Click to enlarge and see more detail.)

Sailors’ Valentines, an art form developed in the 19th century by women in Barbados.

These were often bought by sailors for their loved ones back home.

‘Flower’ arrangement made entirely from shells.

Chama macrophylla coral jewel box.

Gorgeous cameo carved into a large Conch Shell

Exquisite eggs covered in Abalone Paua shell.

A very special Sailors’ Valentine. What woman wouldn’t love to receive something like this?

Jewel box lid decorated with Nacre, better known as Mother of Pearl.

Disappointingly, there wasn’t anything I wanted to buy in the shop there, but on our way to Captiva, I saw a shop called ‘She Sells Sea Shells’, and bought this rather lovely Conch shell as a souvenir to take home.

There were quite a few of the exhibits I wouldn’t have minded bringing back with me as well, especially those Paua shell eggs. Which was your favourite?