The Art of Capiz: From Sea to Studio
There’s a quiet poetry in the making of Capiz. What begins life as the outer shell of a marine mollusk, shimmering beneath the shallow coastal waters of the Philippines, transforms, through many careful hands - into luminous pieces of art that live on your walls and tables.
Each shell is first gathered, then thoroughly cleaned to reveal its natural translucence. From there, artisans layer the shells onto a base (for our wall art, this is hand-cut MDF wood) and glue them down with precision. Only shells of a similar, medium size are chosen- this ensures the surface is smooth and even, creating the perfect canvas for our intricate designs without too many ridges breaking the painter’s flow. The edges are also hand cut shells, glued and finished, sometimes this means around a crabs legs!
Once layered, the shells are gently sanded until the surface becomes uniform and tactile, ready for brush and pigment. Then begins the magic: our contemporary motifs are hand-painted, infusing centuries-old techniques with a distinctly Jones & Co spirit. After painting, each piece is laminated, sealing in the detail and creating a strong, durable material that will stand the test of time.
This method is as traditional as it is enduring. The families and workshops we partner with have passed these techniques down through generations, and we are proud to collaborate with them in bringing our own playful, modern stories to life - whether it’s in wall art, picture frames, boxes or trays.
Each piece carries the shimmer of the sea, the hand of the maker, and the spirit of joy that defines Jones & Co.
Handmade from Capiz shell and hand-painted with love, our wall art looks fantastic teamed together - or solo - on a small niche wall for an unexpected pop of colour and personality. We also create trinket trays and photo frames from capiz shell.
How to hang our Capiz Shell Wall Art?
Our capiz shell wall art pieces are lightweight and ready to hang, with a handy hook on the back. Although they look amazing in a group, you can also team one with a framed canvas or group of prints. That's called a 'french hang'. Ooh fancy!
Mix and match our wall art designs to create your own bespoke collection depending on your wall size. Lay out your wall art on the floor beforehand and move around until you are happy. Then flip them over and measure the distance between the hooks. Easy peasy and no extra holes in the wall!
