Cowries Collection

DDE-90024810
Baitfish schooling around soft coral, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia. Date: 12/08/2006

DDE-90024682
Indonesia, New Guinea Island, Raja Ampat. Cowry mollusks can match their color to their host soft coral. Date: 19/05/2006

DDE-90024629
Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Sulawesi Island, Lembeh Straits. An allied cowry mollusk varies color to match that of soft coral. Date: 11/02/2005

13131085
Pair of Egg Cowries on coral - Batu Gosoh dive site, Bangka Island, north Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean Date: 24-03-2016

Memorial Figure Ere ibeji late 1800s-early 1900s
Memorial Figure (Ere ibeji), late 1800s-early 1900s. Guinea Coast, Nigeria, Yoruba people. Wood, metal, beads, cowries, fiber

Towards the conclusion of a Ngetunogh ceremony, an initiate must put on his mothers jewellery for a day before removing the wild sisal face mask he has worn for 2-3 months

At the start of a Ngetunogh ceremony, the mothers of Pokot initiates will smear animal fat on the boys masks as a blessing

During a Ngetunogh ceremony, the mothers of Pokot initiates sing and dance holding high the cowhorn containers they used to smear fat over the masks of their sons as a blessing

A striking old Pokot woman wearing the traditional beaded ornaments of her tribe which denote her married status. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

A Pokot woman wearing the traditional beaded ornaments of her tribe which denote her married status. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

A Pokot woman in traditional attire with patterned cicatrices on her back attends an Atelo ceremony. Her broad belt is made with the metacarpus and metatarsal bones of dikdiks interspersed with beads

Jovial Pokot women celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

Indonesia, Papua, Raja Ampat. Baitfish schooling around soft coral
Baitfish schooling around soft coral, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia. Credit as: Jones-Shimlock / Jaynes Gallery / DanitaDelimont

Common Egg Cowrie (Ovula ovum) adult, laying string of eggs, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Sunda Islands, Indonesia, July

Balanus tintinnabulum, bell barnacle
Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge (1858-1949). Sized 180 x 260mm. From one of sixteen sketchbooks presented to the Museum in 1952

Tiger Cowrie (Cypraea tigris) adult, on black sand at night, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Allied Cowries - Indonesia
LEE-155 Allied Cowries Indonesia Calpurnus verrucosus Lea Lee contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Chinese Cowrie (Ovatipsa chinensis) adult, crawling over sand on seabed, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Allied cowrie on a reef
Allied cowrie (Ovula ovum) on a reef. Cowries are sea snails that cover their shell with a mantle, which is coloured and textured to match the host organism

Cowrie on a reef
Cowrie (Cypraea sp.) on a reef. Cowries are sea snails that cover their shell with a mantle, which is coloured and textured to match the host organism

Allied cowrie (Ovula ovum) on the sea bed. Cowries are sea snails that cover their shell with a mantle, which is coloured and textured to match the host organism

Allied cowrie on a sea fan. Allied cowries (Ovula ovum) are sea snails that cover their shell with a mantle, which is coloured and textured to match the host organism

Pacific Currency
Money-cowries of Pacific Islanders

Tiger Cowrie Great Barrier Reef, Australia
VT-53 Tiger Cowrie Great Barrier Reef, Australia Valerie & Ron Taylor Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Tiger cowrie (Cypraea tigris). Andaman Sea, Myanmar
AUS-634 Tiger cowries Andaman Sea, Myanmar Cypraea tigris Dr David Wachenfeld / Auscape / ardea.com Auscape Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

The egg cowrie (Ovula ovum) gets it's name from its round white shell
AUS-558 Egg cowrie, named for its round white shell, here covered by its black mantle. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland

Cowrie Shell North Solitary Island, New South Wales, Australia
AU-63-ms Cowrie Shell North Solitary Island, New South Wales, Australia. Cypraea sp. Auscape Shell Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Senoufo masks at festivities, Loulouni Village, Sikasso area, Mali, Africa

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Cowries have long been treasured and revered in various cultures around the world. From the enchanting Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean to the captivating shores of Indonesia's Raja Ampat, these exquisite shells have left an indelible mark on humanity. Intricate engravings capture the essence of cowries, showcasing their mesmerizing beauty. The DDE-90024810 and DDE-90024682 sketches transport us to distant lands where these shells are cherished as symbols of wealth and prosperity. Delving deeper into history, we encounter a stunning colour litho from 1863-79 depicting mussels adorned with vibrant hues. This artwork reminds us that they can not just shells; they are nature's masterpieces, crafted with precision and grace. Moving beyond aesthetics, we discover how cowries hold cultural significance. A memorial figure known as Ere ibeji from the late 1800s-early 1900s stands as a testament to their spiritual importance. These figures embody ancestral spirits and serve as guardians for twins in Yoruba culture. Venturing into rituals and ceremonies, we witness the transformative power among Pokot initiates. During Ngetunogh ceremonies, mothers bless their sons by smearing animal fat on masks made from wild sisal (sansevieria). These boys don goatskins while carrying bows adorned with cowhorn containers filled with sacred substances. The Ngetunogh ceremony reaches its pinnacle when an initiate dons his mother's jewelry for a day before removing his wild sisal face mask worn for months. Symbolizing growth and maturity, this ritual signifies a transition into manhood within Pokot society. As we unravel these diverse narratives surrounding cowries - be it through art or cultural practices - one thing becomes clear: these humble shells possess immense power to captivate our imagination across time and space.