LORE — ABALONE SHELL 

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Abalone shells were gathered from rocky coasts after storms or from the shoreline after the animal had been eaten. Sea otters, octopuses, crabs, fish, and people all depended upon abalone as food.

 

Thick shells were cleaned and kept within homes.

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The smooth inner surface reflected colors of blue, green, pink, and silver. Durable and resistant to heat, the shell became a vessel for carrying embers and burning herbs. It was also used for holding salt, pigments, and medicines.

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Along the Pacific coast, abalone provided both food and shell for generations. The shell appeared in tools, ornaments, trade, and ceremonial objects, valued for its strength and its changing colors.

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