Decorative Seashell Craft For Your Home

Seashell is the outer covering of mollusks like snails, oysters, clams, mussels etc. When these creatures die, they get washed to the seashore and their shells are picked by local shell collectors or artists. The shell collectors proceed to supply these shells to skilled artisans who then work on them to produce shell art. Many varieties of shells are found in the Indian Ocean.

Shell art exists since a long time, but doesn’t have any significant history in India. Although there is no clarity on commencement of shell industry here, evidence of shell artefacts have been found from the period of Indus Valley Civilisation. It falls under the banner of cottage industry/ handicrafts. While West Bengal is at the forefront of shell craft production, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andaman, Odisha and Goa are also popular for shell art since these states are situated on the coastal lines of India. Shells and shell art is exported within India as well as abroad to Japan, Italy, Australia, USA, France and Germany.

Making of Shell Art

Shells are not directly used in craft making. If the shell has animal flesh remaining in it, then it is buried in dry sand to decompose. They are then cleaned with sodium carbonate and further mixed with hydrochloric acid to give them a shine. Shells are usually not polished. They need to be handled with care since there is a risk of them getting destroyed if exposed to high temperatures or pests, or if they are kept in wooden cabinets.

It is only after this process that shells are ready for further use. A variety of beautiful, attractive and alluring shell craft is produced by skilled artists. Wall hangings, jewelry, shell mosaic, buttons, garlands, lampshades, small dishes, quaint animal and human figure toys are made using large shells or small ones of different shapes and sizes. Shell decorated mirrors are popular all over the country. Apart from being an industry, shells have a social and religious significance. Conch bangles are famous in West Bengal. Conch shell is also associated with Lord Vishnu and is used in all Hindu pujas and ceremonies.

Current Situation

Shell art is usually bought by tourists who visit the coastal areas. They prefer taking souvenirs that are produced by the locals. There are thousands of families in the country who make a living out of shell produce, and most of them belong to a low economic background. The industry was flourishing during the 1980s, but a decline has been recorded in this cottage industry due to competition since the recent times. However, Handicraft Development Corporations of states with support of the government try and ensure fair returns to these local artisans.