Today's dose of beauty is not a real flower for a change, it is a shell sculpture of flowers I purchased at the antique show in Round Top, Texas in September.
I currently have it on my foyer console table. There is a note on the bottom that says Morro Bay, CA 9/91 but I think it was made in the Philippines and perhaps sold at The Shell Shop in Morro Bay. I wish I knew more about it. It is 20w x 16h, quite heavy, very sturdy and has copper wire around the branches. Made of hundreds of shells cut into the shape of flowers. Leaves are mother of pearl. On the console behind it are sample finish boards covering up the bottom part of my gold mirror. The finishes were done on cabinet doors from my faux painting classes in Jackson, MS at the Southern Institute of Faux Finishing. I will paint the black frame tomorrow in Annie Sloan's chalk paint since it is the only frame I have that is black and it is bugging me in the photos. I just got the new paint color French Linen which is a dark gray, so I will probably use that color.
Here is a close up so you can see the details.
I counted the shell "petals" on one of the flowers and there were 18. Not something I would normally buy if it was in a gift shop, but put among my other coral pieces and sea sponge, I like it's charm even though it is not old -- well 20 years. Somebody spent a lot of time making it.
Summer
Photos: Swede
