Lot #142: Small Abalone Shell

• Abalone shells have a long and significant history of human use, with evidence of harvesting dating back at least 100,000 years, particularly in pre- history and by Indigenous cultures for food, adornment, tools, and spiritual purposes like smudging. • Shells were traded over vast distances, such as from California to east of the Mississippi River, and the nacre (mother- of-pearl) was used for inlay, buttons, and jewelry. • Abalone populations have declined due to over harvesting, leading to the listing of species like the white and black abalone as endangered. • I believe this shell was gathered over forty years ago, as it was part of a collection of shells. • In overall excellent condition, no breaks, cracks, but there is a chip on the lip. View images. • 1.5" X 4.75" x 3.5" Dimensions: 1.5" X 4.75" x 3.5" Pickup category timeslot {A}