Vintage Natural Amber Shrimp Tagua Carving

Some carvings are worth holding on to, like this natural amber shrimp, a vintage piece hand carved from tagua nut in Panama. Its warm amber tone lets every carved detail show. It makes a thoughtful gift for ocean lovers and collectors of handmade art. Give it a spot on a shelf, a windowsill or in a curio cabinet where it can be enjoyed up close.

Tagua is the seed of a palm that grows in the rainforests of Central and South America. Once dried, the inside turns hard, smooth and creamy white, much like ivory, which is why it is called vegetable ivory. The seeds are gathered after they fall to the forest floor, so no tree or animal is harmed. Indigenous carvers in Panama's rainforest, most of them Wounaan and Emberá, shape each one with hand tools, then sand and polish it by hand. This one was left unpainted, so its color is the natural ivory of the tagua seed itself, which slowly warms toward amber gold over time. No two carvings are ever alike.

MolaMagic was founded by Janet Marie Brockman with a simple but powerful mission: to help indigenous artisans in Panama share their art with the world. For over twenty years, all profits have gone right back into the artisan community, supporting education, medical care, land, tools, and daily needs. Buying a MolaMagic carving means you are part of that story too.

Material: Tagua nut (vegetable ivory)
Made in: Panama
Size: Palm sized; most tagua carvings measure about 1.5 to 2 inches
Care: Keep dry and dust with a soft cloth
SKU: TC683T