A GOLDEN COWRIE SHELL IN VICTORIAN MUSEUM BOX

the Golden Cowrie shell in good condition, evenly coloured and a good size (8.3 cm long), in glass-lidded Victorian museum specimen box.

Collected in the Philippines.

The Golden Cowrie (Callistocypraea aurantium) is one of Nature’s true treasures. This rare species is only found in the tropical waters of the west-central to south-central Pacific. It lives on reefs down to a depth of around 100 feet, coming out to feed during the night and hiding during the day. This shell was prized by chieftains in Fiji, who wore several strung on a necklace to display their high status, privilege, and wealth. The first specimens to reach Europe were brought back by James Cook's second circumnavigation of the globe in 1775 and since then the shell has been highly treasured by collectors. In 1825 a particularly fine specimen sold for the equivalent of £2000. The shell's rarity, its gorgeous golden colour and stunning lustre make it a particularly good example.