Description
Temporarily out of stock
Title: Shells: A Natural & Cultural History
Author: MORETZSOHN FABIO
Illustrator: 124 ILLUSTRATIONS, 80 IN COLOUR
Format: HARDCOVER
Publication date: 01/10/2023
Imprint: REAKTION
Price: $45.00
Publishing status: Active
Shells have captivated humans from the dawn of time: the earliest known artwork was made on a shell. As well as containers for food, shells have been used as tools, jewellery and decorations for dwellings, and to bring good luck or to ward off spirits. Many indigenous peoples have used shells as currency, and in a few places they still do.
This beautifully illustrated book looks at the scientific and cultural history of shells, showing how their diverse colourful forms take shape. It examines pearls, the only gems of animal origin, as well as how shells have inspired artists throughout history.
The book looks at shells used in architecture and ritual, but also how shells are indicators of changing environmental conditions.
Contents: CHAPTER ONE THE SHELL MAKERS CHAPTER TWO TRIBAL SHELL USE CHAPTER THREE SHELLS AND RELIGION CHAPTER FOUR PICKING UP MONEY ON THE BEACH CHAPTER FIVE HOW THE COWRIE GOT ITS SPOTS CHAPTER SIX IRIDESCENT BEAUTY CHAPTER SEVEN SHELLS IN THE ARTS CHAPTER EIGHT MOLLUSCS AND MEDICINE CHAPTER NINE SHELLS IN A CHANGING WORLD REFERENCES SELECT BLBLIOGRAPHY ASSOCIATIONS AND WEBSITES LARGE COLLECTIONS OF SHELLS PHOTO ACKOWLEDGEMENTS INDEX
Author Biography: Fabio Moretzsohn was Visiting Assistant Professor at the Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He was the co-author of Encyclopedia of Texas Seashells (2010) and The Book of Shells (with M. G. Harasewych, 2010).
ISBN: 9781789147131
Dimension: 208mm X 156mm
Edition: 01