a shell collection

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Syrinx aruanus (Australian Trumpet shell), ca. 1950s.

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Shell lamps from Tennant New York.

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Alyssa Goodman, "Crooked Tree." Watercolor on seashell.

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19th century shell-work figure of a lady, from Doe & Hope.

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Marsden Hartley, "Three Shells." Oil on board, ca. 1941-1943. Via Peter Shear.

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Earrings by Alana Burns/la ma r.

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1920s shell-art work in Davenport, Iowa. Via Anonymous Works.

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18th-century scallop-shaped marble sink, via The Marble Dog.

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Ca. 1900s-era glass-plate x-ray of shells, via wilds.things.

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Engraved 18th century Turbo Marmoratus shell, from the V & A. 

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Superfolk "Shells in my pocket" print.

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Photo of an Ordovician fossil bed in Ohio by coryfinds. 

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Nagasone Tojiro Mitsumasa, "Helmet in the form of a Sea Conch Shell," 1618. Via sacredgrounds_.

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Edward Weston, "28 (Cross-section of a nautilus shell)."

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On the beach, I could have stopped all day long and looked at those damned shells, looked for all the messages that come not in bottles but in shells...

John McPhee, Encounters with the Archdruid.

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Erasmus Darwin's bookplates bore the motto E conchis omnia—"everything from shells."

I started Early – Took my Dog –
And visited the Sea –
The Mermaids in the Basement
Came out to look at me –

And Frigates – in the Upper Floor
Extended Hempen Hands –
Presuming Me to be a Mouse –
Aground – opon the Sands –

But no Man moved Me – till the Tide
Went past my simple Shoe –
And past my Apron – and my Belt
And past my Boddice – too –

And made as He would eat me up –
As wholly as a Dew
Opon a Dandelion's Sleeve –
And then – I started – too –

And He – He followed – close behind –
I felt His Silver Heel
Opon my Ancle – Then My Shoes
Would overflow with Pearl –

Until We met the Solid Town –
No One He seemed to know –
And bowing – with a Mighty look –
At me – The Sea withdrew –

Emily Dickinson

Photos:
LIFE
Edward Weston: Tidal Pool, Point Lobos. 1937.