Any brilliant ideas for id of this piece?

[cheryl]

<img src="images/smiley/bye.gif" alt="" border="0" />  

Hi there,

Am hoping some brilliant person out there can figure out what kind of shell was cut down and inset into this brooch- wasn't able to id from the wonderful categories already set up.

<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/3896655" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/3896655">http://www.badongo.com/pic/3896655</a><!-- m --></a>




Thanks in advance for your kind assistance,

[cheryl]

Second image didn't take; here it is:

<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/3896673" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/3896673">http://www.badongo.com/pic/3896673</a><!-- m --></a>

[paul monfils]

Hi Cheryl,

Actually this isn't "cut down". It is complete. This is an operculum from a Tapestry Turban shell (scientific name Turbo petholatus). An operculum is a sort of "door" that the snail uses to seal the aperture of its shell once it withdraws inside. These are popularly known as "cateyes". Here is a picture of the shell with the operculum in place:

<a href="http://shell.sinica.edu.tw/images/large/MLSP100401001-2.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://shell.sinica.edu.tw/images/large/MLSP100401001-2.jpg">http://shell.sinica.edu.tw/images/large ... 1001-2.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2008-07-02 00:45:54 --</span>