Shell collecting was a popular eighteenth- and nineteenth-century pastime, as it was an era of discovery and amateur science when underwater exploration had barely begun...so shells hinted at hidden wonders.
Shells from exotic lands were eagerly sought to fill the curiosity cabinets considered indispensable in the well-appointed home.
In particular, the South Pacific was thought of as a distant yet tantalising paradise, and the shells from there were marveled at.
We have unearthed some excellent hand coloured lithographs of shells from the south pacific.
Astroea helioptropium27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
Argonauta tuberculata27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$95.00
Argonauta argo27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
Septa rubicunda27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches). An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$50.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$50.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$50.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches). An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$55.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$50.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$50.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$50.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$50.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)Sepioteuthis bilineataAn original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$45.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21cm (10.5 x 8 inches).An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)Sepia apamaAn original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)Architeuthus stockiiAn original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)Architeuthus longimanusAn original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00
27 x 21 cm (10.5 x 8 inches)An original antique lithograph of south pacific seashells, created c.1910. The shells are clear, well drawn, and have remarkable detail enhanced with hand colouring...
US$60.00