Shopfront: Shells have been used as a decorative feature, in one-way or another, for hundreds of years: Italian Giuseppe Archimboldo created faces from shells in the 16th century; shells were carved on 18th century Irish furniture and whole rooms have been decorated with shells by setting them into plaster (think of Shell Cottage at Leixlip Castle).

This giant shell has been turned into lamp (the bulb is inserted into the "ear" of the shell) and can hang from a rope or placed on a flat surface. The obvious place to put it might be in a bathroom.

It is made in France for interior designer Peter Johnson who has several variations using different types of shells.

Peter Johnson, 01 4537088