China - Stone with Tortoise Shell Engraving

November 2024

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T. P. Collection. This is a very unusual type in that it doesn't imitate a cowrie shell but rather the shell of a turtle or tortoise. One could infer here a symbolic throwback to the ancient Chinese divining method of heating tortoise shells and throwing them in water to divine the future, or the path to be followed, from the cracks formed in the shell. This rare piece is 10 x 16 and 1.8 g.

Moneta Library has articles on Cowries to VIEW and DOWNLOAD:
The Worlds's First Money, Chinese Cowries and Their Imitations - by Ted Puls: [ link ]
Cowries - Bob Reis: [ link ]
Origin of Cowries in Ancient China - UofPa: [ link ]
Metallic Cowries - Royal Asiatic Society: [ link ]
Nice Video on Cowrie history: [ link ]
An excellent article in ANA's "Numismatist" magazine, Oct 2017 > [ link ]
SEE how far back in time decorative sea shells were important to prehistoric man at his : [ link ]
Interested in Primitive Money? Then check out this YouTube video created by Kagins Auctions featuring Bob Leonard and Charles Opitz upon the massive sale in March 2021. Click this: [ link ]