Fiji Shells

"Davui" is the Fijian word for conch shell. These beautiful shells hold a significant place in Fijian culture as ceremonial items. They are used as trumpets to announce traditional events such as the anointing of a new chief. A small hole is bored at the tip of the shell and the herald blows through this, creating a low wailing sound that seems to resonate with mysteries of an ancient oceanic past.

Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth, is produced by village women on islands such as Vatulele. A renewable resource, masi is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes days to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Maria Rova lives in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of the Pacific, especially that of the remote island of Taveuni to the north of the Fiji group, which is home to her husband’s traditional clan. Sustained by forest and reef, Taveuni villagers still follow many of the ancient cultural practices that give Fijian people their unique identity. The artist wishes to acknowledge gratefully the impact that her Fijian family has had on her work. 

My favourite Pacific shell, the nautilus, is the inspiration for this design. The energy of our swirling ocean is represented by spiralling sand lines drawn in white coral sand from Yasawa beaches, and dark, volcanic sand from Nadi’s Wailoaloa Beach. Perfect nautilus shells can usually only be obtained by killing live specimens. Help to protect our reefs from such environmentally damaging practices by collecting a shell like this one, painted on masi made from plantation-grown trees, a renewable natural resource. 

Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth, is produced by village women on islands such as Vatulele. A renewable resource, masi is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes days to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Maria Rova lives in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of the Pacific, especially that of the remote island of Taveuni to the north of the Fiji group, which is home to her husband’s traditional clan. Sustained by forest and reef, Taveuni villagers still follow many of the ancient cultural practices that give Fijian people their unique identity. The artist wishes to acknowledge gratefully the impact that her Fijian family has had on her work. 

Hand-painted on masi, with details drawn in pigment pen. This painting is part of our “Silver Shell” range, depicting some of the fascinating shells that a lucky beachcomber may find while wandering along the palm-fringed shores of Fiji. The spines of the living Venus Comb Murex permit it to crawl on the sand around the reef without being swept away by ocean currents. 

Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth, is produced by village women on islands such as Vatulele. A renewable resource, masi is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes days to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Maria Rova lives in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of the Pacific, especially that of the remote island of Taveuni to the north of the Fiji group, which is home to her husband’s traditional clan. Sustained by forest and reef, Taveuni villagers still follow many of the ancient cultural practices that give Fijian people their unique identity. The artist wishes to acknowledge gratefully the impact that her Fijian family has had on her work. 

This Fiji Marine Motifs silk artwork is part of a series of Limited Edition Originals, each painted by hand. It features a Fiji Dolphin, Fiji Fish and Fiji shell. Nadi-based artist Maria Rova uses dyes and resist on pure, white silk to create vivid compositions that express her love for Fiji. The wildlife, culture, and scenery of Rova’s South Pacific home are themes that run throughout her award-winning work.

The frame surrounding the silk painting is made from traditional Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth. This is hand-crafted by village women on the island of Vatulele. A renewable resource, ‘masi’ is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes day to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking, and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Framing instructions

This artwork has been left unframed for ease of shipping.

When ready to frame, simply peel the painting from its temporary backing and mount on a coloured background of your choice, leaving the rough edges of the masi showing to enhance its natural look.

Inspired by Fiji's natural beauty, the Turtleshell necklace represents the orange and gold of Fiji's turtles. 

The pendant is made from recycled glass which is broken up and fused together in a top-loading kiln. The pendant is then smoothed and the adjustable cord attached. 

A beautiful, hand-blown necklace which brings you a taste of the Fiji islands!

This Fiji Marine Motifs silk artwork is part of a series of Limited Edition Originals, each painted by hand. It features a Fiji Octopus, Fiji Flower, Fiji Shell and Fiji Crab. Artist M. W. Rova uses pure, white silk and dyes to create the vivid compositions for which she is known. Rova’s art is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of tropical Fiji, where she lives with her young family.

The frame surrounding the silk painting is made from traditional Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth. This is produced by village women on the island of Vatulele. A renewable resource, ‘masi’ is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes day to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking, and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Framing instructions

This artwork has been left unframed for ease of shipping.

When ready to frame, simply peel the painting from its temporary backing and mount on a coloured background of your choice, leaving the rough edges of the masi showing to enhance its natural look.

This Fiji Davui Shell Silk painting was painted on pure, white silk, a medium the artist loves working with because of its beautiful sheen. Employing the age-old ‘serti’ technique, Rova uses special dyes and ‘gutta’ resist to create the brilliant blends of color which have become her trademark. Each work of silk art is painted by hand, often as part of a series of numbered Limited Edition Originals which the artist builds up slowly, one painting at a time.

M.W. Rova works from her home in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the diverse wildlife of the Fiji Islands, with its amazing range of plants and animals, and striking land and sea scapes. The ideas for many of her paintings have grown out of visits to her husband’s village on the ‘Garden Island’ of Taveuni in northern Fiji, where his extended family lead a traditional lifestyle in harmony with the sea and tropical jungle around them.

Hand-painted on masi, with details drawn in pigment pen. This painting is part of our “Large Silver Shell” range, depicting some of the fascinating shells that a lucky beachcomber may find while wandering along the palm-fringed shores of Fiji. The spines of the living scorpio conch permit it to crawl on the sand around the reef without being swept away by ocean currents.

Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth, is produced by village women on islands such as Vatulele. A renewable resource, masi is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes days to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Maria Rova lives in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of the Pacific, especially that of the remote island of Taveuni to the north of the Fiji group, which is home to her husband’s traditional clan. Sustained by forest and reef, Taveuni villagers still follow many of the ancient cultural practices that give Fijian people their unique identity. The artist wishes to acknowledge gratefully the impact that her Fijian family has had on her work. 

Framing instructions

This artwork has been left unframed for ease of shipping.

When ready to frame, simply peel the painting from its temporary backing and mount on a coloured background of your choice, leaving the rough edges of the masi showing to enhance its natural look.

This piece is made out of mother of pearl, vau and cotton chord. The vau is made from the bark of a tree which is shredded then soaked in sea water for 2-3 weeks before it is finely shredded and put in the sun to dry. After drying, the vau is soaked in red dye to give it color.

This piece is inspired by the Armea bird which is found only on the island of Rotuma.

This piece is also made out of Mother of Pearl shell and Vau. The mother of pearl like all others used in Rako's jewellery is grinded, sand papered and shined to show its amazing color. It is than cut and shaped to give a hook like appearance. The Vau is in its original color after it has been soaked, dried and shredded to give it that light brown color.