THREE PAIRS OF 19TH CENTURY SHELLS CARVED BY CONVICTS IN NEW CALEDONIA (NOUVELLE CALEDONIE)

the mother of pearl shells with outer shell layer removed to expose the pearl underlayer, comprising a pair depicting native men, inscribed 'SOUVENIR DE NOUMEA' and 'NOUVELLE CALEDONIE' (14.5cm high), a larger pair carved in relief depicting a tribal man and woman, within a foliate border, (20cm high), and a further pair depicting portraits of a European man and woman within foliate and C scroll border, (13cm high) (6)

The penal colony of New Caledonia was a penitentiary establishment which was in operation from 1864 to 1924. Many French prisoners from mainland France (approximately 21,000) were deported there. It is known that the penal colony had prison workshops specifically to produce prisoner works of art to trade beyond the prison walls. Noumea is the capital of New Caledonia (Nouvelle Calédonie).

Provenance: Marie-Claude Fabius, a respected London antiques dealer was passionate about her treasured shell collection, amassed over many years. She descended from a long dynasty of famous Parisian antique dealers.