Shell Button

The button made from mother-of-pearl. Pinctada is a genus of saltwater oysters, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Pteriidae, the pearl oysters. These oysters have a strong inner shell layer composed of nacre, also known as "mother of pearl".

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Map    Victoria and Albert Museum

Date

Around 1860

Identifier

57

Origin

Manila

Materials

Pinctada is a genus of saltwater oysters, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Pteriidae, the pearl oysters. These oysters have a strong inner shell layer composed of nacre, also known as "mother of pearl".

Physical Dimensions

Diameter: 250 mm, Height: 20 mm

Provenance

Most probably brought as items for display in the Great Exhibition of 1850?

Acquisition Date

Around 1860

Short description

Button made from Shell

Display status

Not on Display

Official Website

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O256951/button-blank/

Collection

Victoria and Albert Museum

Source

Record accessed in October 2020
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Cite this Page

“Shell Button,” Mapping Philippine Material Culture, accessed April 20, 2024, https://philippinestudies.uk/mapping/items/show/2118.

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Related Items

Shell ButtonShell ButtonTextileStatuette, ivory, Crucifix figure (fragmentary)


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