Folk Art Sailor's Shellwork Candlesticks

An extraordinary and meticulously crafted pair of vintage sailor’s shellwork candlesticks, each built upon a tiered architectural form and encrusted with hundreds of hand selected natural shells. The palette ranges from soft ivory and warm sand to graphite and pearlescent lavender, creating a refined, textural surface reminiscent of 19th-century seaside grotto work.

The candlesticks feature tightly layered rows of miniature whelks, periwinkles, and nerites, culminating in beautifully executed floral medallions formed from polished purple-lip shell petals. Their imposing stature and perfect symmetry set them apart from typical tourist pieces, the craftsmanship here speaks to a dedicated maritime studio tradition, likely mid-20th century New England or Nova Scotia.

Sculptural, coastal, and quietly opulent, they make a commanding statement on a console, entry table, or as part of a refined folk art vignette.

Dimensions: approx. 13” tall
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with natural shell variations; structurally sound and beautifully preserved.

Collector’s Note

This caliber of shellwork, dense, architectural, and symmetrically executed, is increasingly rare.