19th Century Folk Art Painted (Extra Large) Oyster Shell with Sailboats, Lighthouse and Dutch Flag 18 year girl diary I think it's a pretty

I think it's a pretty great one

I really love the arc of those orange arms

This is much heavier and more solid than a tramp box constructed of cigar box pine

I have some feeling they are Japanese

double sided booklet detailing some 37 different possibilities illustrated through wonderful line drawings--none an easy task

19th Century Folk Art Painted (Extra Large) Oyster Shell with Sailboats, Lighthouse and Dutch Flag 18 year girl diary I think it's a prettyThe manner and relative fineness of this folk art (likely sailor made) shell painting says 19th century for sure. I've always got an eye for a good folk art painting on a shell, but this excellent seascape, purchased from a dealer in Maine, was an especially happy find, all the more so for having been painted on an oyster shell and an extra large one. With a Dutch flag flying from the lighthouse, so one presumes painted while at sea, far from home.