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Spiral Brass Hoops with Cowrie Drop
  • Spiral Brass Hoops with Cowrie Drop
  • Spiral Brass Hoops with Cowrie Drop
  • Spiral Brass Hoops with Cowrie Drop
  • Spiral Brass Hoops with Cowrie Drop
Spiral Brass Hoop Earrings with Cowrie Drop

Spiral Brass Hoop Earrings with Cowrie Drop

$54.00
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KA-E151

A single cowrie shell hangs at the center of an open brass hoop, the wire curving up and over into a soft spiral before it meets the ear.

  • Material: Hammered brass, cowrie shell, glass seed beads
  • Color: Gold, ivory, black
  • Drop: 3.125 in with hook
  • Width: 2 in
  • Closure: French hook
  • Sold as: Pair
  • Origin: Kenya

Warm brass against ivory shell, with a small flick of black and amber where the wire loops through the ear. The hoop reads open and airy against the neck — full in scale but weightless, with a slight sway as you move.
Details
  • Hand-shaped spiral hoop silhouette
  • Hammered brass finish
  • Center-suspended cowrie shell
  • Cream and black seed bead accents at the hook
  • Asymmetric hand-formed wire

Each hoop is bent, flattened and hammered by hand rather than machined, so the surface texture and spiral curve vary slightly from piece to piece.

The Story

The cowrie shells are gathered from the Indian Ocean near Mombasa, on Kenya's Swahili coast. The cream and black seed beads at the ear wire nod to coastal Kenyan beadwork, pared back to a single accent rather than a full panel.

The hoop itself is a contemporary form built from a traditional material. Brass wire is bent by hand into the open spiral, then hammered along its surface — a cold-forging step that flattens and work-hardens the metal while leaving an uneven, light-catching texture.

The cowrie is wire-wrapped into a small cage and suspended at the center of the hoop. Because each piece is shaped by hand rather than cast, no two hoops curve or catch the light in quite the same way.

Craft & Care
  • Technique: Hand-shaped, hammered brass wirework with coastal Kenyan beadwork accents

Wipe the brass gently with a dry cloth after wear. Keep the shells away from prolonged moisture.

Questions

What is the shell in the center?

A natural cowrie shell gathered from the Indian Ocean near Mombasa, wire-wrapped in place. Size, shading and surface pattern vary slightly shell to shell.

Are these lightweight enough for everyday wear?

Yes. The open hoop is formed from a single hammered wire rather than solid metal, keeping the earrings light despite their size.

How do I care for the brass?

Wipe the brass gently with a dry cloth after wear, and keep the shells away from prolonged moisture.

Will my pair look exactly like the photo?

Close, but not identical. The wire is bent, flattened and hammered by hand, so each spiral's curve and surface texture read a little differently.

Where are these made?

Handmade in Kenya, using locally gathered cowrie shells and hand-shaped brass wire.

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