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The Walters Art Museum

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Image for (Spondylus princes) Pacific Thorny Oyster
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(Spondylus princes) Pacific Thorny Oyster Thumbnail
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(Spondylus princes) Pacific Thorny Oyster Thumbnail
(Spondylus princes) Pacific Thorny Oyster Thumbnail

(Spondylus princes) Pacific Thorny Oyster

shell

Shell, specifically the Pacific thorny oyster, or spondylus shell, was prized for its intense color. The oyster is found in the warm coastal waters off Ecuador and was traded extensively. It was used as a form of currency and as an important ritual offering when crafted into beads or used as inlay.

Exhibitions

2015 Gold of the Ancient Americas. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore.
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Credit Line

Gift of Kathleen Emerson-Dell, 2005

Location in Museum

Charles Street: Second Floor: Collector's Study

Accession Number

In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.

2005.69.10

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Hours

  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
  • Monday—Tuesday: Closed

Location

600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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