The Lure of the Capiz Shell

I try not to get sucked into trends. If the trend strikes a chord in me, though, I attempt to seek out a unique and vintage version of it. A one-off.

Let's take capiz shell. Capiz shell is actually the outer shell of the marine mollusk, Placuna placenta, found in the shallow waters off the coast of the Philippines. This mollusk has a flat, semi-transparent shell with a pearlescent appearance. OCEAN BLING.

It has been popping its shiny head up about once a decade since the 1930s. I can certainly see why. A couple hours on ebay rewarded me with these fine examples.

A vintage capiz coffee table from Brooklyn. Add one amoeba shaped piece of glass and voila!


A vintage capiz pendant from Danville, CA. Add one mild electric shock to unlicensed wanna-be electrician/husband and voila!


Pair of vintage Italian capiz lamps (purchased on my iphone from the backseat of my father-in-law's car while driving in Scottsdale). Add 2 shades, 2 glass finials and 2 lucite bases. Voila!