SEASHELLS & CORAL

In the 17th century, exotic shells brought back by the East India Company stimulated an infatuation that took hold of European collectors. The wealthy, along with royalty, collected prized rare shells with great passion. In the 18th century, the collecting craze for shells in Holland rivaled the Dutch madness for collecting tulip bulbs.  Victorian seashell collecting was a refined pursuit that combined scientific curiosity with a romantic appreciation for the natural beauty of coastal treasures.  Today collecting prized seashell specimens is a captivating hobby that celebrates the ocean’s natural artistry and the unique stories each shell holds.