I'm sure I've seen them on occasion, but I'd never really looked at a folk art mother of pearl shell carving of this sort before--and really what an amazing thing, all done by hand, quite a feat of labor and patience! Perhaps not surprisingly, fisherman were the most common subjects depicted on these, typically shown holding a net and facing away from the sea (toward the viewer), as if coming to shore in at the end of the day. But this much better-- this great woman in her bathing costume, perched on a rocky outcropping as if the queen of her own island, looking out. Maybe a siren of sorts, drawing that sailboat to shore, but I think more as if poised to take off on her own adventure!
7" x 6 5/8". C. 1880s I believe. A couple of smooth losses along right edge of shell, but overall good condition, and an especially finely carved example, which is all the more dramatic held to light.
You might also like
