14001 - Large shell carving depicting a woman’s profile and an eagle, carved from a natural shell, 20th century.

Large shell carving depicting a woman’s profile and an eagle, carved from a natural shell, 20th century. Decorative cabinet piece or souvenir crafted from a large natural sea snail shell. A finely relief-carved female profile facing right, featuring elaborately rendered hair and a headdress, is carved into the shell’s surface using the gemme technique; below and in front of it is an eagle with outstretched wings. The light-colored relief carving stands out strikingly against the shell’s natural, rose-colored inner layer. The rest of the shell is largely left in its natural state, featuring cream-colored, rose-colored, and orange-brown sections. Elaborately crafted decorative shell carving, likely a European or Mediterranean piece from the 20th century. Shows signs of age and wear, natural irregularities, and surface deposits; minor chips and missing areas are present around the opening and along the outer edges. 13 x 11 cm, inlay 7.5 x 6.0 cm