Window of thin polished oyster shells of a lozenge shape set in wooden frames are a feature of 16th century buildings in Goa.
The use of the nacre of mother of pearl shell to cover windows probably came to Goa from Gujarat. Glass was a difficult commodity to procure and nacre of shells was available in plenty from surrounding shells found on river beaches were used extensively to replace glass. The flat ones were selected, dressed, shaped and slipped between grooved wooden battens and used for windows and large quality of light which passed through these openings gave the houses a very special atmosphere.
Size: 3555px × 5458px
Location: Margao Salcete Goa India
Photo credit: © Ladi Kirn / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: architecture, goa, india, indo, local, madgaon, margao, missing, mother, nacre, neglect, oyster, pearl, pieces, portuguese, salcete, shell, shells, traditional, window, windows
