Adam Mills Inlaying Operculum Shells

Adam Mills is inlaying Operculum Shells into the frames of two of the new Bronze Bear panels. An Operculum Shell is a little trap door that certain marine snails use to close their home shells and protect them from predators. These shells were harvested in S.E. Alaska without killing the snails. This tradition of inlaying Operculum shells is ancient in traditional Northwest Coast art. These shells that Adam is using are approximately ½” long and ¼” wide and he’s putting 18 on each of two Red Cedar frames that hold the bronze panels. Some of the oldest boxes found from NW Coast culture area are inlaid with Operculum shells in this same pattern…6 rows of 3 in pairs.