Old sentimental shell covered box

[gillian]

Hi, I'm Gillian and this is my first post. My great grandfather had this box made for my great grandmother a long long time ago. Just before he died he gave it to me as I had always loved it. As you will see from the photos there are a few missing. I'd like to know what these shells are to help me to find replacements. One looks like a scallop type shell, it measures 14mm top to bottom.

<img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01878Large.jpg" alt="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01878Large.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01879Large.jpg" alt="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01879Large.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01880Large.jpg" alt="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01880Large.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01881Large.jpg" alt="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01881Large.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01883Large.jpg" alt="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01883Large.jpg" style="border:0" />

<img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01877Large.jpg" alt="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/phil-mcc/shell%20box/DSC01877Large.jpg" style="border:0" />

Any help in identifying these 2 types would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Gillian

[paul monfils]

Hello Gillian,

The white, ribbed shells around the edges of the lid are not actually scallops, but a type of clam called Ark Shells (in the family Arcidae). I have many of these and would be glad to send you some of appropriate size at no charge. I did want to check on the size. You say these measure 14 mm vertically, as they are mounted on the box? Therefore, perhaps 18-19 mm in width? Using that measurement as a guide, it would seem that the whole box is therefore less than 50 mm (2 inches) in height? Is that correct? If this is correct, and you would like some of these, just send me a mailing address, by email. <!-- e --><a href="mailtoaulCyp@cox.net">PaulCyp@cox.net</a><!-- e -->

As for the other missing shells, the pictures are not clear enough to identify these with certainty, and I might not be able to match them exactly anyway. But I can send you a few similar shells of appropriate size that might serve as a substitute. Their length appears to be about the same as the height of the Ark Shells. Is that correct?  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2007-08-01 05:36:22 --</span>