Undentified Shell Basket

[kopetz]

Hi there -
I inherited a shell basket from my grandma, who claimed it was an "antique".  However, I'm having trouble finding something similiar on the internet, even a similar shell. I'm guessing it is a freshwater shell?  The basket is made with wire.  My mom said she saw a similiar one in a Native American art shop, worth about $150.  Thoughts?  Thanks so much!!

<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/764626" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/764626">http://www.badongo.com/pic/764626</a><!-- m --></a>
<a href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/764632" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.badongo.com/pic/764632">http://www.badongo.com/pic/764632</a><!-- m --></a>

Kim

[paul monfils]

The basket is made of Olive Shells (family Olividae), shallow water sand-dwelling marine snails. Something similar to those shown here, though I can't guarantee it is the same species:

<a href="http://www.aquarium.co.jp/shell/gallery/ehimebotaru.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.aquarium.co.jp/shell/gallery/ehimebotaru.jpg">http://www.aquarium.co.jp/shell/gallery/ehimebotaru.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

<a href="http://www.jaxshells.org/2789.htm" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.jaxshells.org/2789.htm">http://www.jaxshells.org/2789.htm</a><!-- m --></a>

<a href="http://images.enature.com/seashell/seashell_m/SS0131_2m.jpg" target="_blank"><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://images.enature.com/seashell/seashell_m/SS0131_2m.jpg">http://images.enature.com/seashell/seas ... 131_2m.jpg</a><!-- m --></a>

[kopetz]

Thank you so much for the fast reply!