300191 VO Shells and their role in the life of man (2007W)

Shells and their animal builder have played an important role in the life of man. Shells have been collected, treasured and utilised almost everywhere in all ages. In different ways, they were associated with the cultures of prehistoric Europe, ancient Egypt, precolumbian Euador and prehistoric Mexico. This association has continued although with a substantially altered emphasis- into various cultures of nowadays (f.e. symbols in acient times / shells in the symbolic rites of Mayans, Toltekes, Aztecs / mythological usages as musical instruments / the cradle of Venus / the chank in Vishnu`s hand / St. James and the scallop shell / money cowries and wampum /shells in the art of classical world / the practical use of shells for tools and jewelry in primitive cilvilzations / the purple of Tyrians / shells in the decorative arts all over Europe / shells in heraldry / as an economic factor / pearls end pearl oysters / at the table / medical importance / use of the scallop shell form in the renaissance / the Baroque and rococo / shells in the 20 century / the emerging science of malacology/.