Featured Unusual Tortoiseshell hairpin with coral and seashell

Bought these two from Chinese eBay for roughly £2- what more to ask? And the hairpin (?) on the left is crafted from genuine tortoise shell, adorned with tiny branch of coral and a sea shell.


Not sure about age&origin again, only know they’re sourced from Japan. The T-shell one does reminded me of creative Japanese hairpins from 19th century. It’s 12cm long, but there’s sign of breaking at the end, so it might be longer when made.

 

From the side the shell and coral composition looks like a fishie. Yes, it could be Japanese, it looks like something they would do.

The other one is Indonesian imo. Probably Java. Is it silver?

Nothing!

 

Also Nautilus

It’s not, I rubbed the blackened area on the corner, revealing bright yellow underneath, and it smells like copper, so I guess that’s it but happy to know its possible origin!

 

On the other hand if it's brass you can stick it in your hair and wear it.

 

I will still do if it’s silver! But if it was gold, I’d better have it in my cabinet forever

 

Under guard. I bet the Indonesian ladies had some gold ones, but you can bet those didn't get into the wild.

 

yes even tortoiseshell ones are rare

 

Aaah the snail is sooo cute. What a creative use of materials.

 

Also in Japan&East Asia, there are all kinds of fascination about people living under the sea. This hairpin would be designed for a lady from the dragon palace!

 

Or for Nyi Roro Kidul, the beautiful Queen of the Southern Sea (south of Java):

 

Would be interesting if she would wear jewelry made of coral exclusively grows there!

 

I have seen paintings of her wearing shell, coral, and pearl jewellery.