{"product_id":"antique-cowrie-shell-russian-new-year-inscription-circa-1900s","title":"Antique Cowrie Shell | Russian New Year Inscription, circa 1900s","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"78\" data-end=\"90\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"78\" data-end=\"90\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"92\" data-end=\"181\"\u003eAntique large cowrie shell with a carved Russian New Year greeting, circa 1900s to 1910s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"183\" data-end=\"440\"\u003eThe inscription reads “Поздравляю съ Новымъ Годомъ”, meaning “Congratulations on the New Year” or “Happy New Year” in English. The spelling uses the old Russian orthography used before the 1917 revolution, which gives the piece a clear historical character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"466\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"466\"\u003eOrigin and Character\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"468\" data-end=\"729\"\u003eThis type of carved souvenir shell was likely made in Odessa, Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire. Odessa was one of the places associated with the artistic carving and decoration of cowrie shells, often made as small keepsakes, gifts and travel souvenirs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"731\" data-end=\"962\"\u003eThe shell has a natural glossy white surface with warm brown markings. The carved letters are raised and tinted by the natural brown tones of the shell, making the inscription easy to read while keeping the object soft and organic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"974\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"974\"\u003eDesign\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"976\" data-end=\"1210\"\u003eThe object is small, but visually memorable. The contrast between the sea shell form and the formal old Russian lettering gives it a special charm: part natural curiosity, part historical souvenir, part New Year gift from another era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1376\"\u003eIt can be displayed on a desk, shelf, cabinet, writing table or with antique travel objects, seaside souvenirs and objects connected with the Russian Empire period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1378\" data-end=\"1389\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1378\" data-end=\"1389\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1391\" data-end=\"1416\"\u003eType: carved cowrie shell\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1418\" data-end=\"1458\"\u003eInscription: Поздравляю съ Новымъ Годомъ\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1460\" data-end=\"1487\"\u003eTranslation: Happy New Year\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1537\"\u003eOrigin: probably Odessa, Ukraine, Russian Empire\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1539\" data-end=\"1567\"\u003ePeriod: circa 1900s to 1910s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1569\" data-end=\"1599\"\u003eMaterial: natural cowrie shell\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1601\" data-end=\"1647\"\u003eLanguage: Russian, old orthography before 1917\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1649\" data-end=\"1665\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1649\" data-end=\"1665\"\u003eMeasurements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1667\" data-end=\"1681\"\u003eLength: 7.5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1683\" data-end=\"1695\"\u003eHeight: 4 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1697\" data-end=\"1710\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1697\" data-end=\"1710\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1712\" data-end=\"1740\"\u003eExcellent antique condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1742\" data-end=\"1838\"\u003eNo cracks, chips, darkening or visible wear. The shell is clean, glossy and very well preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1840\" data-end=\"1858\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1840\" data-end=\"1858\"\u003eFor Collectors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1860\" data-end=\"2107\"\u003eA rare and unusual antique souvenir object with old Russian lettering and a strong Odessa context. Interesting for collectors of historical shells, Russian Empire objects, antique New Year gifts, seaside souvenirs and small decorative curiosities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54236106850645,"sku":null,"price":57.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0865\/9383\/1253\/files\/Antique_Russian_Happy_New_Year_Shell_cowrie_engraved_Molna_Vintage.jpg?v=1782670949","url":"https:\/\/www.molnavintage.com\/products\/antique-cowrie-shell-russian-new-year-inscription-circa-1900s","provider":"Molna Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}