(First image composite showing both sides.)
I paid quite a bit for this one by my standards but there was no way I could not, and I will be very glad to keep it forever--to all of my sensibilities a truly perfect object, as distilled to essence as a thing could be. 19th century sailor made I do believe, with the twine wrapped tightly around the carved wooden handle (walnut I believe) like that from which sailor's macrame baskets were made. And with that twine wound tightly and perfectly around a shallow notch cut into in the wood of the handle where the two sides of the split end of the handle (between which the shell was inserted) come together, its function being to hold it tight and preventing any splitting I believe. And then this shell, perfect form, perfectly preserved, rich striated color on the reverse side. Nothing more, nothing less than absolutely necessary to make a perfect spoon of a shell, and with that carved handle widening just right to allow for a good grip.
6" x 2 1/8" x 1/2". Excellent antique condition, no losses, original patina with some nice crustiness around the twine and end top of handle where it sits inside the opening of the shell. Personally I would mount this on the wall resting on two tiny pins to either side of the handle where it meets the shell.
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