Inscribed shell commemorating the launch of the Great Eastern
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Object number2022.00118
TitleInscribed shell commemorating the launch of the Great Eastern
DescriptionInscribed Cowrie shell referring to the Launch of the Great Eastern. Designed as a commemorative piece, it has a low relief textual carving with a poem about the ship being visited by Queen Victoria and this shell being a gift between friends.
The shell has been carved in 'cameo' style, with text in relief. The leopard spot pattern of the shell's surface can still be seen around the lower edge of the shell; the central part with the cameo carving has been stripped down to an inner layer of the shell, so that the text is off-white against an iridescent purple-pink background.
Although the shell references the ship's 1858 launch, it is possible that it was sold on board the ship on a voyage to New York in the early 1860s, as some sources suggest that such shells were sold as souvenirs on the ship.
Production date after 1858-01-31
Object namecowrie shell
Object categorydecorative art
Materialshell
Techniquecarved
Dimensions
- length: 90 mm
width: 70 mm
depth: 48 mm