Lambis lambis shell from the wreck of the Dutch East India ship Witte Leeuw before 1613

This is a Lambis lambis shell, a relic from the Dutch East India ship Witte Leeuw, reminding us of the intricate dance between trade and nature. The shell itself, a symbol of the sea's bounty, evokes a sense of adventure and exploration. Throughout history, shells have appeared as potent symbols. Consider Botticelli's Venus emerging from a scallop shell: the embodiment of divine beauty and fertility. In both instances, the shell transcends its physical form, becoming a vessel of deeper meaning. There is a cyclical nature to these symbols, which endure and transform across time. The shell, whether adorning a goddess or salvaged from a shipwreck, remains a powerful reminder of the primal connection between humanity and the natural world, resonating within our collective memory.