The forces inherent in civilization seem to have recognized a symbolic value in cowries since ancient times. In money: cowries were among the earliest forms of currency. In power: as the King of Fiji well knew, being the only one authorized to adorn himself with the aurantium. In procreation: they were associated with childbirth and femininity. In death: they became the eyes of funerary masks, guiding the deceased into the afterlife.
I could never have imagined, as I held that Cypraea so as never to let it go, that I was slipping into a cultivated pastime made of mythology and science, museums, beautiful books, friendships, travel, and scuba diving. I was unconsciously sensing the inexplicable quality inherent in “beautiful things.”
Symmetrical, smooth, and pleasing to the touch, cowries are beautiful for the simple purpose of delight, because they seem to have no other apparent function. The Neolithic man who picked one up simply to admire it, carry it with him, and preserve it among his belongings embodies all of this. He could not know that such luster came from a mollusk that had lived by caressing its own shell. He did not know—but he intuited—that the compact, regular, ovoid form enclosed something innate and perfect.
Monetaria caputserpentis, my first cowry (from a street stall in San Benedetto del Tronto, July 1984)
From owning one to owning a hundred, then a thousand, the step was immediate and natural. Only later did I realize that I was a collector. The “healthy” collector -an insatiably curious mind - aims for completeness, which presupposes the broadest possible knowledge of the object of desire. The question “How many am I missing?” is fleeting, because it implies an ideal census of all existing cowries. From this arises the need for an overall view, which cannot exist without cataloguing. One begins with new specimens and gradually builds a more or less comprehensive framework of one’s field of interest.
Among cowries are some of the most emblematic collectible objects, and it is no coincidence that many scholars of this family have assembled collections of great distinction. Neither too many nor too few, modest in size yet clearly visible, varied in colors, patterns, and distinctive forms, they lend themselves perfectly to seriality—the collector’s delight. Today they also represent a solid market, capable of accompanying an entire lifetime and, with care, doing so without loss.
Cowries have accompanied me through much of my life’s adventures and have guided decisive choices. University studies, scuba diving, travel, and that deeply cerebral interplay between beauty and nature—between art and science—all maintain a clear relationship with their presence. For me, opening a drawer and finding them again restores a sense of time.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank all the people who, over forty years of passion, have accompanied, supported, and helped me gain a deeper understanding of the world of cowries. While I cannot mention everyone, I wish to highlight a few individuals who have been particularly significant for this project:
- Luigi Raybaudi Massilia (1913–2003), almost a second father: sharp and uncontainable, yet highly knowledgeable in many cultural fields. I spent years at his home, having the opportunity to observe and handle over half a million cowries—a truly invaluable experience for my formation.
- Paolo Orsina, friend and guide, whom I could call a lifelong co-author. A great connoisseur of writing and the art of “living well in the world,” with him I shared hundreds of hours of malacological observations, practical advice, and discussions on various topics.
- Mattia Fontana, diver and passionate biologist, much more skilled than I am in computing, supported me in creating this webpage.
- Ettore Molteni, tireless supporter, strengthened my inclination for travel and trade, contributing to the expansion of my collection. Thanks to him, I probably also needed a bigger home…
- Marco Passamonti, an enthusiastic amateur collector of the rarest and most spectacular cowries, always encouraged me to write for his magazine Beautifulcowries and to share my opinions.
Finally, my gratitude goes to all the collectors who allowed me to admire their “malacological treasures,” experiences that have greatly enriched my journey.