Cowrie shells used to be used as money in the ancient world. This intellectual bracelet is a pun on money, as it contains both coins and barter in the form of very special little Cyprea (Cowrie) shells that have a subtle brown design on the front and lilac-coloring on the back. Indian women used to sew Cowries in the hens of their dresses to be blessed with fertility. There are all kinds of myths and stories concerning Cowrie shells. I even saw them in Mesa Verde, where the Anastasi Indians traded pottery with California tribes' shells. Silver, 7”
