Victorian Sterling shipping Silver Operculum Bar Brooch/Pin

A sterling silver bar pin setting elegantly highlights this large operculum shell. These shells hail from the Pacific and around New Zealand. Victorian sailors would pick them up on the beaches and bring them back to be set into jewelry. They were thought to shipping ward off evil spirits.

Often called 'cat's eye' operculum, they are actually not shells in themselves, but rather the trap door that attaches to a gastropod's foot, protecting the gastropod against predators.

Beautiful shades of rich green and orange on a white background. Bezel-set into the sterling mount. In excellent condition. Measures 2 1/2" long by 1" wide.