Cowry Shells (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1940 November 18 - unknown

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened November 18, 1940. Located in the Grand Gallery at the American Museum of Natural History. "Cowry Shells" featured 300 shell specimens, which were part of the collection gathered by William C. Metcalfe from tropical and sub-tropical seas.

Summary

"Cowry Shells" featured 300 shell specimens, which were part of the collection gathered by William C. Metcalfe from tropical and sub-tropical seas. The exhibition included specimens of the rare Orange Cowry worn by chiefs in the Solomon and Loyalty Islands as well as small Money shells used as currency thousands of years ago. The cowry shells were displayed in the 77th Street Entrance Foyer at the American Museum of Natural History starting November 18, 1940.

Individuals and institutions involved in the creation of the exhibition: John Armstrong, Associate in AMNH Marine Invertebrates.

Sources

American Museum of Natural History Press Release, November 18, 1940. Departmental Records, 101; American Museum of Natural History Library Archives

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Grand Gallery.
Location of exhibition.

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