Lot 1816* ♣ - S17 Out of This World - Tuesday, 28. June 2022, 04.00 PM
SAWFISH ROSTRUM
Pristis pristis
around 1950
93 x 19 cm
108 x 21 cm (with stand)
around 1950
93 x 19 cm
108 x 21 cm (with stand)
For the exportation of this item a CITES license is required. Prospective buyers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. For further information please contact the department.
Provenance: Swiss school collection
In the classical cabinets of curiosities of the 16th century, the sword of the saw-ray could not be missing. Its fascination lies not only in its iconic appearance and symmetry, but also in the implied interplay of danger and beauty. The brute and simple form is reminiscent of prehistoric times, of fantasy creatures and of dinosaurs. The saw ray is native to the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans and usually grows to around 5 metres in length. It uses the sword both as a weapon to strike back and forth quickly in a school of fish and as a tool to dig for food in the sand.
This is a particularly large and beautiful example of this naturalia, which was in a Swiss school collection for educational purposes.
In the classical cabinets of curiosities of the 16th century, the sword of the saw-ray could not be missing. Its fascination lies not only in its iconic appearance and symmetry, but also in the implied interplay of danger and beauty. The brute and simple form is reminiscent of prehistoric times, of fantasy creatures and of dinosaurs. The saw ray is native to the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans and usually grows to around 5 metres in length. It uses the sword both as a weapon to strike back and forth quickly in a school of fish and as a tool to dig for food in the sand.
This is a particularly large and beautiful example of this naturalia, which was in a Swiss school collection for educational purposes.
CHF 1 000 / 2 000 | (€ 1 030 / 2 060)
Sold for CHF 2 500 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.