Pendants

Ancient travelers and historians such as El Mas’udi, Al Idrisi and Al-biruni had written about the “Cowrie Islands”. Ibn Battuta in 1343, and later Ma Huan, a Chinese historian in 1433 explains the use of cowrie shells as a medium of exchange and currency, and its trade across the world, with the people of Bengal, Yemen, Thailand and other distant lands. Archeologist Heyerdahl in his own research and travels speculated that the significance of cowries to the wealth of the Maldives dated back to the Indus Valley civilization - early records of the Gulf of Cambay mentions ships of cowries from the Maldives; and on his visit to the prehistoric port of Lothal, a harbor city of Mohenjo-Daro, the capital of the Indus Valley Civilization, a busy port around the time of its collapse between 2,500 BC and 1,500 BC. Its museum now holds treasures excavated at the Lothal wharfs; and one exhibit was of Cypraea Moneta, the Maldive cowrie, which makes it clear that the traditional value of the cowrie had survived in this part of the world for over 3,000 years.

The Cowrie Islands is a significant chapter of Maldive history - impressive not for just how far the cowries reached across the world; but the power of the monopoly the islands held over them, which gave the Maldives a place in the ancient global trade map.

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ORIGINS Jewelry Collection — Paying homage to the indigenous history, folk and oral tradition of the thousand isles, each piece of the ORIGINS jewelry collection tells an ancient story, and celebrates a cultural heritage rooted in mysticism and wonder.

There is an old Maldivian story about how tuna first came to the islands.
It speaks of a great mālimi: a navigator; who sailed so far that the sea thinned and the world began to fall away. At the edge of it stood an enderi tree, black coral rising like a living monument through strong currents. At its base, strange striped fish leapt and shimmered. The mālimi understood them as a gift. A chant was whispered, a ritual performed, and the fish followed the boat home, choosing the deep waters of the Maldives as their own.

The Black Coral Pendant draws from this imagery: a coral that stands like a majestic black tree at the end of the ocean, where water rushes past and depth turns infinite.

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ORIGINS Jewelry Collection — Paying homage to the indigenous history, folk and oral tradition of the thousand isles, each piece of the ORIGINS jewelry collection tells an ancient story, and celebrates a cultural heritage rooted in mysticism and wonder.

Manta Rays are an icon of the Maldives. From the humble Reef Manta Ray to their more elusive cousins, the Giant Oceanic Manta Ray, these marine behemoths have a safe haven in our crystal clear waters. As artists, we draw inspiration from the ocean and the Manta Ray’s silent flight in our waters have been awe inspiring. Our Manta Ray pendants are designed to immortalise these beautiful creatures in all its graceful glory. Be it elegant nights, or a day by the sea, they can be worn effortlessly for any occasion. 

In support of conservation through research, education and collaboration, Oevaali Art Shop has been partnering with the Manta Trust towards a sustainable future for the oceans, where manta rays and their relatives thrive in healthy, diverse marine ecosystems. 5% of your purchase of the Manta Ray Silver + Sapphire Pendant is donated to the Manta Trust & their work for our oceans.

The Maldives is home to five of the seven species of the world’s marine turtles. From the rare Olive Ridley to gargantuan Leatherback, sea turtles have graced our seas and shores with their presence for aeons. Though they have been traditionally hunted for their meat, eggs and shells, the mentality toward these amazing creatures have been gradually changing over the past few decades. With the combined efforts of conservationists, scientists and the authorities, many sanctuaries now exist in the Maldives. Their efforts have shown to be fruitful, as turtle numbers have been making a comeback and becoming a common sight for divers and snorkelling enthusiasts. 

In support of conservation through rescue and rehabilitating turtles, Oevaali Art Shop is happy to partner with The Olive Ridley Project since 2021, to give these beautiful creatures a second chance at life. 5% of your purchase of the Turtle Silver +Sapphire Pendant is donated to the Olive Ridley Project and their work for our oceans.

The Turtle Pendant was inspired by the most common yet arguably the most beautiful native sea turtle - the Hawksbill. Wear this pendant as a show of solidarity for the continued efforts to conserve these amazing creatures for future generations. 

The cross section of the nautilus shell is symbolic of the logarithmic spiral or the “eternal line”, presenting itself in nature. Once the matte layer with the stripes is removed, a second, strikingly iridescent layer is revealed. The Nautilus Pendants pay tribute to the beautiful ancient creatures and their art-inspiring shells.

The manta ray is undoubtedly one of the most elegant creatures in the ocean. This collection of the manta ray pendants aim to capture the elegance in two bold colours. A perfect accessory to accentuate a strong yet refined sensibility.

The Thresher Shark is the definition of savage beauty. They use their long, cartilaginous tails to stun their prey. These pendants aim to capture this elusive creature’s stunning beauty and reserved aggression in one timeless piece.