2 Vintage Cowrie Cowry Necklace Sea Shell Tassel Handmade Lei
Two Pair Layering
Bohemian South Seas Ocean
Tropical Hawaiian Strands
Hand Crafted Souvenir Jewelry
Luau Party Hawaii Polynesian
Slip Over The Head
Nautical Beach Vacation
This is a lot of 2 great vintage necklaces that I believe were purchased by my Mom on a trip to Hawaii in the 1960s or early 1970s. They are made of genuine Cowrie or Cowry shells with smaller shells as spacers. The shells are smooth and shiny and look almost like porcelain. They have a flat under surface with a long narrow slit like tooth opening. The shells are often thought to represent womanhood, pregnancy and fertility.
Both of the necklaces are a continuous loop that goes over the head like a Hawaiian Lei and they do not have clasps. I will describe each one below:
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Shorter Necklace - If it could be opened and spread end to end, it would measure approximately 26 inches in length. There are 36 Cowry Shells on the necklace and in between are smaller shells in golden brown and white (I think these are called Nutmeg Shells). The Cowrie shells are beige in color with orange and yellow oval accents at the top. The tassel section that hangs from the necklace is just over 4 inches in length. The total hanging length is approximately 18 inches. One shell on the tassel section has a surface imperfection on the shiny outer shell coating.
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Longer Necklace – If this one could be opened and spread end to end, it would measure approximately 38 inches in length. There are 70 small cowrie shells on the necklace and in between are small brown, tan and white shells. The tassel section on this necklace is 5 inches in length. The total hanging length is approximately 24 inches.
They are both in excellent vintage condition as you can see by the enlarged photographs. None of the shells are missing, chipped or cracked that I can see.
These would be perfect for your next Luau party as accessories for your sundress or sarong. They would work with your favorite pair of jeans or for that Bohemian look that is so popular today. They would also be great for any surfer or beachcomber and could easily be worn by a woman or a man. You can wear them separately or layered together for a more dramatic look.
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