The timing is deliberate. The world-record event had originally been planned for Stockholm, Sweden, later this year. As preparations for INDEX Saudi Arabia developed, however, the possibility of bringing the event to Riyadh emerged as a far more ambitious international opportunity. INDEX Saudi Arabia, taking place from 15–17 September 2026 at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, will serve as the first public launchpad for the project. At Hall 2, Stand 2A121, Venus Collection will present the wider story behind these monumental fossil forms: from excavation and conservation to their transformation into sculptural objects, luxury washbasins and rare collectible pieces.
The proposed Riyadh world-record event would go far beyond the measurement of a shell. The specimen is extraordinary not only for its present weight of 452 kg, but also for its original scale: before sections were broken away during earth-shifting events over its long history underground, the shell originally weighed around 530 kg. The vision is to create an international cultural and design moment around an object formed by nature on a scale that no longer exists today — combining natural history, extraordinary craftsmanship, luxury design, conservation and Saudi Arabia’s growing position as a destination for globally significant events.
From the Land of Giants
For Seaquarium founder Volker Bassen, the project is part of a much larger narrative he calls From the Land of Giants — a story shaped by more than three decades in Kenya, where giant whale sharks, giant fossil shells and some of the world’s most remarkable natural treasures have defined both his conservation work and his design journey.
The giant shell at the centre of the proposed Riyadh event has been in Bassen’s collection since 2017. For years it remained stored away from public view. Today it weighs 452 kg, while its original weight is estimated at around 530 kg before parts of the fossil shell were broken away during earth-shifting events. It has now been carefully packed and prepared for international transport, opening the possibility of presenting it on a stage worthy of its scale and rarity.
Why Riyadh
Riyadh has rapidly emerged as a global platform for architecture, design, hospitality, luxury and ambitious cultural experiences. For Venus Collection, the Saudi capital offers the opportunity to transform a record verification into something much larger: a carefully staged event bringing together designers, collectors, developers, media, cultural figures and potential founding partners.
The current published Guinness World Records benchmark for the largest clam cites a 333-kilogram Tridacna gigas specimen collected off Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan, in 1956. The fossil shell being prepared by Seaquarium weighs 452 kilograms — 119 kilograms more than the current benchmark. Before sections were lost during earth-shifting events, the shell originally weighed around 530 kilograms.
A first look at INDEX Saudi Arabia
The Riyadh project will be introduced to the design industry during INDEX Saudi Arabia 2026. Visitors to the Venus Collection stand will see selected fossil shell sculptures, luxury interior pieces and rare material from the wider collection, alongside the story of the 452-kg giant shell that is now being prepared for its own dedicated world-record event in Riyadh.
Discussions are also being opened with potential founding partners and sponsors whose brands align with design, heritage, hospitality, luxury, logistics, cultural investment and internationally significant Saudi events.
“A WORLD RECORD IS COMING TO RIYADH.”
From the Land of Giants
About Venus Collection / Seaquarium Ltd
Venus Collection presents fossil giant clam shells and related natural materials as exceptional sculptural and interior-design objects, connected to Seaquarium Ltd in Kenya and founder Volker Bassen’s long-running conservation work in the Western Indian Ocean. The brand will exhibit at INDEX Saudi Arabia 2026 in Hall 2, Stand 2A121.
Media & partnership enquiries
Volker Bassen
Founder, Seaquarium Ltd / Venus Collection
www.venuscollection.com
INDEX Saudi Arabia 2026 — Hall 2, Stand 2A121
