GOAN SHELL WINDOWS

The Treasure of Goan Architecture - Oyster Shell Windows

A row of vertically sliding oyster shell windows at a Goan ancestral house (Cansaulim - Goa)

The captivating allure of Goa extends far beyond its sun-kissed beaches, delectable cuisine, vibrant carnivals and the burgeoning casino scene.This vintage state is of something much more, by unwrapping the treasures of history, it is immensely a creator's palette. 

Proudly displaying its magnificent architecture dating back to the Indo-Portuguese era, Goan architecture is renowned for its sustainability, intricate designs, decorative elements and practicality. 

One such vital embodiment that reflects the ultimate essence of the Goan craftsmanship's ethnicity, is the "Mother of Pearl Shell Windows".

Shell Windows at an ancestral Goan house at Marcela-Goa.

As seen in the photos, the arches of the windows too were decorated with these shells but sometimes alternatively with plain, etched or stained glass. 

The impetus behind crafting an array of replica shell windows as souvenirs for our store, each adorned with unique shapes and patterns, was twofold: a desire to rekindle our heritage and a deep-seated nostalgia for the cherished memories of my three enchanting ancestral Goan homes, which remain beautifully preserved to this day. 

The shell, serving as the cornerstone of our boutique's logo, encapsulates this sentiment perfectly.

The Goa Decor Logo 

The iridescent oyster shell windows elegantly adorn the heritage monuments and old Goan houses, encapsulating the essence of a bygone era with their versatile aesthetic appeal. They gracefully diffuse abundant light into the space while preserving the privacy of the room, owing to their translucent beauty.

During the Portuguese era, skilled Goan craftsmen fashioned these windows using locally sourced oyster shells found along the nearby shorelines.

In the heyday of Goa's fishing community, harvesting oyster shells provided a significant income stream. These shells, carefully selected for their matured ivory hue, were meticulously cut and shaped before being embedded into the wooden panels of the windows. Often, a small rectangular glass peephole was added to afford glimpses of the outdoors from within the comfort of the home.

While highlighting the practical advantages and cultural significance of oyster shells in Goan architecture, it's important to delve into the mystical beliefs surrounding these treasures of the sea. Ancient Indian lore suggests that the presence of mother of pearl shells within the home brings prosperity and wellness, tapping into the natural energies imbued within them. Revered as a symbol of abundance in the mineral kingdom, mother of pearl is believed to harness the healing powers of the ocean. 

Goan artisans ingeniously fused these mystical beliefs with practical design, seamlessly integrating oyster shells as a multifunctional architectural element.

However, with the encroachment of Western culture and architecture, the authentic craftsmanship and distinctive architectural style of Goa gradually waned, marking a poignant shift in the region's cultural landscape.

At Goa Decor, we are dedicated to reviving the unique cultural icons of Goa with utmost passion and commitment.

In our endeavour to breathe life into lost treasures of history, I am grateful for the personal collection preserved at our ancestral house, likely intended for window panes. These shells were once abundant, sourced from the roadside fisher folks along the route to Chicalim bay near our ancestral homes in Cansaulim and Bogmalo, before the bay was designated as protected. As a result we will be creating a limited collection of these natural shell window souvenirs.

Furthermore, we have meticulously selected only broken shell pieces found washed ashore at local beaches, which proved ideal for our small souvenirs. Thus, our personalised shell windows, crafted into significant forms, emerged as unique wall decor products. However, please note that this collection is highly limited.

In addition to these shells, we often incorporate shell replicas, coloured glass, mirrors, fiber-boards and other reflective materials into creating our Goan window souvenir. 

Mementos 

A limited edition of the Goan memento. Your must-have Impeccable souvenir that unleashes the cultural heritage of Goa.

Our (spokes pattern) handcrafted wooden openable shell window

                                         Goan window with openable shutters - use it as a wall hanging, a photo memory window or a mirror window. The possibilities are endless. 

This pattern of the openable mini shell window too, can be  customisable by selecting any of our original paintings by our associate artist displayed at the studio (depicting Goa of the bygone era through our different art series) or a family photo, hand-painted portrait or a mirror to fit inside the main frame inside the 2 shutters. 

   

Our (flower pattern) handcrafted wooden openable shell window

Though originally, only white shells pieces were used, we will be utilising all the available shades of colours from our limited collection. We believe each colour has its own beauty born out of natural conditions of the sea bed. 

The lustrous, dark but silky black ones and the orange shells have acquired their respective colours due to exposure to chemical changes in the deep sea beds. 

Memento with inlay of tiny pieces of shells

BLACK: The deeper and longer the shell has been lying in the sediments, the blacker it will be stained.

                 The anaerobic bacteria in the deep sea beds break down organic compounds and it's by-products react with the sand resulting in the black iron sulphides that cause the black staining. 

ORANGE: When the black iron sulphides move upwards in the sea, the oxygen at the higher levels converts them to ferric oxide ( yellow) and stains the buried shells orange. 

    

NOTE:

   * The windows with original shells are a limited edition at the store, till our ancestral personal collection of shell pieces last!

   * We use local seasoned wood and engineered wood to create these windows. 

   * Varied options to select from replica windows. 

   * Available in 4 sizes 

For the love of Goa by a Goan,

Visit our Studio at:  'Supreme', level 3, Above Apollo Pharmacy, Caranzalem Goa.

Whatsapp/call 7020068459 

Editorial credits: Akshita Ramalingam