Shell Art, French, Late 19th Century

A most unusual antique hand painted and decorated giant fresh water mussel shell depicting a French flagged, twin funnel, steamship and a terracotta figure of a fishmonger's wife reclining on a bed of fish nets. Fine shell grit and a few small common sea shells complete the seaside backdrop. Dimensions are 14.0 x 8.3 cm (5½" x 3¼"), not including the brass ring for hanging.

The shell itself is from the Velesunio species of fresh water mussels which can be found in the rivers of Eastern Australia.