Goa’s Windows: A Heritage of Shell Work

Detail of an iridescent oyster shell of the kind used to embed into window frames in the days of Portuguese occupation.

The flat part of the shell is cut to fit into wooden window pane frames traditionally used in Goan homes. Window-pane oysters take about 4-5 years to mature fully when their muddy brown shells turn translucent white.

An abandoned house in the Saligao area shows how some later renovation involved replacing damaged shell windows with plain glass ones.

Abandoned houses with shell window facades evoke the mixed cultural heritage of Goa.

An old home, abandoned without care, is still probably owned by persons who have migrated to other countries and is a part of a never-ending title dispute.

The detail of a shell window at an abandoned house shows how small look-outs within the translucent shell window allowed a peek on to the street.

Many old houses are put on the market for sale like this one. Often the real estate agent offers renovation services.

The detailing in Goa’s old architecture as seen in this abandoned home refers to grander times of its original occupants.

This old Goa home is well maintained by its occupants who live in Saligao alongside derelict houses.

In some homes in Saligao local caretakers can be seen holding on to properties for their owners who have settled in Portugal.

An old abandoned house in Saligao has a cross fixed into the boundary wall.

An empty house with damaged shell windows and doors, and typical built in balcao furniture stands testament to the older, more leisurely ways of living in Goa.

This home shows newly glazed windows and old shell ones together. The property lies disputed by three brothers while a temporary caretaker cleans up occasionally.

The damaged shell windows and an elaborate wrought iron gate of an abandoned home in Saligao evokes ghosts and memories of better times.

Every shell window has a slightly different design at its upper portion, depending on the architect and its owners from another century.

The frontage of a home would have small ‘look out’ windows within the shell doors or windows to see who is outside.

The old weathered shell window has discoloured shells which then provide a completely different hue.

The owner of a home in Saligao removed one shell section from the window and replaced it with glazed glass. The other remains with its original shells broken

Detail of shells embedded between slats of an old window.

A new house has adopted the shape of an old window but has used glass and no shells. This indicates an attempt at modernisation or
an absence of craftsmen who know how to craft a shell window.

The little lookout peephole windows within a window add extra utility and charm.

A fairly elaborate old house in Saligao displays an interesting upper design.

Large ornamental windows with stucco moulding are eye catching features of Goan houses. They are decorative, ornate and expressive.

Detail of a peep hole opening within a shell window.

An old home in Fountainhaas has been patched up by later occupants who consider occupancy more important than aesthetics.

Hotel Lar Amorosa is a Portuguese styled hotel in Sangolda.

Boutique hoteliers revive facades while retaining usable shell windows and adding glazed ones because of the absence of skilled persons to make shell windows now.

Some old homes have been kept well and many have occupants. This home is in Saligao and can be seen from the street.

A stately mansion of old times in Saligao continues to be occupied by well-to-do householders.

Shells were plentiful, cost less and since they cut the view while letting in light, they were considered better than curtains.

An elderly occupant of an old home in
Fountainhaas hides the absent section of his shell window by hanging a cloth.

The owner of an old house sits with a friend.

Its elaborate shell door and windows are intact. She says no one makes them this way anymore.

The Houses of Goa Museum established by Gerard da Cunha in Porvorim displays a window, in which the shells have not lost their iridescence.

Close up of the old shell windows at Hotel Mayfair, near Mahalakshmi temple, Dr Dada Vaidya Road in Panaji.

Viewing the light from Goa’s unique shell windows from the inside of Hotel Mayfair.

The elaborate frontage of Hotel Mayfair shows pride in the old architectural heritage of Goa.

Window in the Fontainhaas area, like the Latin Quarter of Goa’s capital, Panaji.

Fontainhaas is distinctive for its strong Portuguese architecture and cultural influences, including its lifestyle.

Read more about Goa's window modeling here:
-Museum of Goa: Goa’s history as Art and Inspiration
-Fashioning Goa’s windows: A new craft is born