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The Istana

Pen Shell Inlay Jewellery Box

Country: The Republic of the Philippines

Last updated 11 March 2026

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presented this gift to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during his working visit to Singapore from May 29 to June 1, 2024.

Pen Shell Inlay Jewelry Box

Dimensions: 25 × 25 × 20 cm

This brass turtle jewellery box features emerald-green pen shell inlay. The design draws inspiration from turtles found in the Philippines, including the endemic Philippine forest turtle, Siebenrockiella leytensis.

Pen shell clams are harvested as a food source, and their shells are recycled, polished, and inlaid by artisans to create decorative objects. The iridescent green inlay is prized for its beauty and reflects the Philippines’ rich tradition of marine-based craftsmanship.