Shell-Encrusted Bust in Farrow & Ball Hopper Head

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Shell-Encrusted Bust in Farrow & Ball “Hopper Head” #305 by May River Neptune.

A singular sculptural bust, finished in the … Read more Shell-Encrusted Bust in Farrow & Ball “Hopper Head” #305 by May River Neptune.

A singular sculptural bust, finished in the nuanced Farrow & Ball shade Hopper Head, and transformed into an evocative work of assemblage art. The surface is richly adorned with a curated crown of natural shells in soft coastal tones.

It is a perfect piece for a collected cabinet-of-curiosities. Both surreal and elegant, the composition suggests a dreamlike fusion of oceanic materiality and antique craftsmanship.

Nancy Campbell Ashley—known to friends and collectors as Fancy—is the artist behind May River Neptune, creating one-of-a-kind shell-encrusted sculptural works inspired by the Southern coastline. Raised in Charleston, South Carolina, her lifelong connection to the sea began with childhood summers spent gathering shells along Sullivan’s Island and Edisto Beach.

With a background in art history and high-end interior design, Fancy brings a curator’s eye and a storyteller’s sensibility to each piece. Working from her cottage studio on the May River in Bluffton, SC, she creates assemblage objects that blend coastal memory, antiquarian detail, and timeless craftsmanship—celebrating the beauty of imperfection through natural materials.

Additional works by the artist can be found at Tapley’s Mercantile in Savannah, GA, as well as at J. Banks Design on Hilton Head Island, SC. She is also available for commissioned projects and creates a wide range of shell-encrusted pieces.

Please explore our listings to discover more of May River Neptune’s shell-encrusted sculptures, furniture, lighting, mirrors, wall brackets, and other distinctive works.

A striking, gallery-worthy objet d’art—where coastal texture meets antiquarian intrigue. See less