Dentalium Collection

Tolowa dancing head-dress, c1923. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Tolowa dancing head-dress, c1923. Sam Lopez, head-and-shoulders portrait, wearing Tolowa costume including a redheaded woodpecker scalp headress and strings of dentalium shell beads

Wishham bride, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Wishham bride, c1910. Tlakluit bride, half-length portrait, facing slightly right, wearing braids, beaded headdress with Chinese coins, dentalium shell earrings, beaded buckskin dress

Wishham (i.e. Wishram) girl, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Wishham (i.e. Wishram) girl, c1910. Tlakluit woman, half-length portrait, facing front, wearing a heavily beaded buckskin dress, several necklaces, beads, shells

Thorny cockle, truncated purr and eight-ridged tooth shell
Thorny cockle, Cardium echinatum, truncated purr, Donax crenulata, and eight-ridged tooth shell, Dentalium octangulatum. Handcoloured copperplate engraving after Sydenham Edwards from John Mason

Variety of tropical shells including Patella, Fissurella, Calyptraea, Pileopsis, Dentalium.. Handcolored engraving from Charles d Orbignys Dictionnaire Universel d Histoire Naturelle

Elephant tusk, Dentalium elephantinum.. Handcolored copperplate zoological engraving from George Shaw and Frederick Nodders The Naturalists Miscellany, 1792

Animal of Dentalium

Dentalium

CHEYENNE CHILDREN, c1890. A Cheyenne girl and boy, with their dolls. The dolls and the girls dress are decorated with dentalium shells

KOPRINO CHIEF, 1914. Qa hila, a young Koprino chief from Quatsino Sound, on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, British Colubmia, Canada, wearing a dentalium shell nose ornament

Tusk shell (Dentalium) fossilised in rock

Native American shell money. Man measuring a string of dentalia shells. These shells were commonly used as money by Native American tribes

Dentalium elephatinum
Plate 2, watercolour by Anna Atkins from her 256 original drawings for Lamarcks Genera of shells, 1822-24

WISHRAM BRIDE, c1910. Half-length portrait of a Wishram (Tlakluit) bride with braids, wearing a beaded headdress with Chinese coins, dentalium shell earrings and beaded buckskin dress

HUPA PURSE. Purse of carved elk antler with incised decoration, used to carry dentalium shell money. Hupa, from northwestern California, c1880. Length: 6 in

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"Dentalium: The Thorny Cockle of the Sea" Discover the mesmerizing world of Dentalium, a fascinating variety of tropical shells including Patella. These enchanting creatures, also known as thorny cockles, captivate with their intricate beauty and unique features. One such species is the truncated purr and eight-ridged tooth shell, resembling an elegant work of art carved by nature itself. Its delicate ridges and smooth curves make it a true marvel to behold. Among the most remarkable members of this family is Dentalium elephantinum, commonly referred to as the elephant tusk. This majestic creature showcases an elongated shape reminiscent of its namesake's ivory tusks. The Pictorial Museum of Animated Nature offers us a glimpse into the captivating world these animals inhabit through stunning engravings. Each page unveils their exquisite details and invites us to explore further. Native American cultures have long recognized the significance shells in their traditions. They were used as adornments for ceremonial purposes or even transformed into valuable currency known as shell money. In Cheyenne culture, dentalium shells held great importance for children who cherished them alongside their beloved dolls. These tiny treasures symbolized connection with nature and served as tokens of love and protection. Qa hila, a young Koprino chief from Quatsino Sound in 1914 proudly displayed his heritage by adorning himself with dentalium shells. Their presence showcased his status within his community while honoring ancestral customs. Even fossils bear witness to the enduring legacy shells; tusk shells fossilized in rock provide invaluable insights into ancient marine ecosystems that thrived millions of years ago. Edward S. Curtis captured timeless beauty in his photograph featuring a Wishram bride adorned with beaded buckskin dress, Chinese coins headdress, and exquisite dentalium shell earrings around her neck. Her regal appearance reflects both cultural pride and personal style choices.