Clamshell Collection

Kilauea Lighhouse located on Kilauea Point on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Kilauea Lighthouse located on Kilauea Point on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Catherine-Henriette de Balzac d Etragues, Marquise de Verneuil, mistress of King Henry IV of France, 1579-1633
FLO4657463 Catherine-Henriette de Balzac d Etragues, Marquise de Verneuil, mistress of King Henry IV of France, 1579-1633

First edition of Richard Francis Burton s, The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana
1195414 First edition of Richard Francis Burton s, The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana, 1883 (red half calf, red morocco clamshell case, miniature) by English School, (19th century); 25x15

Clamshell orchid, Prosthechea cochleata (Epidendrum cochleatum). Handcoloured copperplate engraving by George Cooke after George Loddiges from Conrad Loddiges Botanical Cabinet, Hackney, 1817

Charlotte de Montmorenci, wife to Henri de Bourbon, Prince of Conde, 1594-1650. She wears her hair tied up with ribbons, an upright lace collar, pearl necklaces, dress with embroidered corset

Marquise de Verneuil, mistress of King Henry
Catherine-Henriette de Balzac d Etragues, Marquise de Verneuil, mistress of King Henry IV of France, 1579-1633. She wears her hair tied up with a ribbon of roses

Gabrielle d Estrees, mistress of King Henry
Gabrielle d Estrees, Marchioness of Monceaux, mistress of King Henry IV of France, 1571-1599. She wears her blonde hair tied in a pearl lattice, three-tier lace ruff collar

Cockleshell orchid, Prosthechea cochleata (Lance-leaved epidendrum, Epidendrum lancifolium). Handcoloured copperplate engraving by George Barclay after an illustration by Miss Sarah Drake

Portrait of Charlotte de Montmorenci, 1827 (copperplate engraving)
4075696 Portrait of Charlotte de Montmorenci, 1827 (copperplate engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Epidendrum cochleatum, clamshell orchid - Illustration from Delineation of exotic plants cultivated in the Royal Garden at Kew (1796) by Franz Andreas Bauer (1758-1840)

Jug in the form of a snail shell with a spout in a clamshell design, Balthazar van den Bos, Cornelis Floris (II), Hieronymus Cock, 1548

Power shovel
UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1960s: Power shovel with jaws open, view from below. (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images)

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"Unveiling the Beauty: From Lighthouses to Orchids, the Enigmatic Clamshell" Discovering hidden treasures across time and continents, the clamshell captivates our imagination. From Kilauea Point's majestic lighthouse on Kauai Island to the elegant Marquises of France, this humble shell has left its mark. Intriguingly adorned with a ribbon of roses, Catherine-Henriette de Balzac d'Estragues, Marquise de Verneuil, epitomized grace as she wore her hair tied up in a delicate clamshell-inspired fashion. A symbol of femininity and allure during King Henry IV's reign. Delving into literature's depths reveals another facet of this enigma - Richard Francis Burton's first edition of "The Kama Sutra. " Within its pages lies an exploration of passion and desire akin to unlocking a clamshell's secrets. Nature too holds its own marvels within this captivating form. The Prosthechea cochleata orchid showcases intricate petals resembling a clamshell; their vibrant colors enchanting all who behold them. Like Charlotte de Montmorenci in her copperplate engraving portrait from 1827, these flowers exude timeless elegance. As we journey further into nature's realm, we encounter yet another variation - the Cockleshell orchid (Prosthechea cochleata). Its delicate blooms mirror those found on distant shores where ocean waves whisper tales untold. Returning full circle to Hawaii’s picturesque landscapes stands the iconic Kilauea Lighthouse perched upon Kilauea Point. This architectural wonder serves as both guardian and guide for seafarers navigating treacherous waters—a beacon reminiscent of the protective embrace offered by a clamshell.