Serpentine Mother of Pearl Inlaid Box

A mother of pearl inlaid box, early 20th century, the front…
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A Mother of pearl inlaid box, early 20th century, the front serpentine in shape, the top with inscribed mother of pearl monogram surrounded by flowers, the interior felted with compartments., 16.5 cm high, 21 cm long, 13 cm wide

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  • Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.

    In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.

    Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.

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