Pre-17th Century Extremely Rare & Complete Elephant Bird Egg, Madagascar

View Similar Items

Early 17th Century Sculpture

Italian 17th Century "Mannequin De Presentation"

17th Century Flemish Carving of a Religious Figure

17th Century Spanish Wooden Crucifix Figure Sculpture

French 17th Century Weathered Carved Oak Christ Fragment

17th Century Spanish Boxwood Christ on the Cross

17th Century Thai Bronze Bust Of The Buddha

17th Century Spanish Colonial Hispano-Philippine Carved Santo

17th Century Spanish Baroque Chestnut Carving of Christ

Large Carved Oak Statue of a Bishop, France, 17th Century

Pair of Outstanding 17th Century Italian Polychromed Musician Statues

17th Century, Spanish Giltwood Baroque Altarpiece with Angel Head

About the Item

An extremely rare elephant bird egg, completely intact. The Elephant Bird, formally categorised as Aepyornis Maximus, is an enormous flightless bird native to Madagascar. Standing as high as 3.4 metres and weighing up to 500kg, the Elephant Bird was undoubtedly the largest bird ever to have lived. Compared to even the largest modern ostrich (up to 8 feet high and weighing 300lbs) it was far taller and thicker-set with its far more muscular legs. A comparable species in terms of size is the Moa of New Zealand, which are also now extinct. The Elephant Bird roamed the plateaus and forest of Madagascar until their extinction sometime between the 14th and 17th centuries. Perhaps unsurprisingly given their gargantuan size, the Elephant Bird was originally believed to have been the giant flying beast known as the Roc (or Ruhk). This legendary bird of prey is perhaps a distorted version of Aepyornis Maximus, immortalised in the tales of Sinbad and accounts of Marco Polo's voyages. In Sanskrit epics the mythic bird Garuda carried a battling elephant in its talons, which is how the species received its colloquial name. Despite this association, the Elephant Bird’s diet instead comprised forest fruits. The egg of an Elephant Bird is a seldom seen specimen. Rarer still are examples with complete and intact shells like the present lot. Fewer than 40 such eggs populate public collections around the world. One reason for the rarity of these eggs would have been their culinary appeal for the human settlers of Madagascar. A single Elephant bird egg could easily feed a large group, and as a result they were highly sought after for nourishment. Their redefined status as a desirable food source for humans almost certainly contributed to their extinction. These curved eggs, with their cream or pale hues and gently perforated shells, are not only visually beautiful, but an enduring symbol of a creature revered in both science and legend. This is one of then largest examples to have ever come on the market and it is in sublime condition. For any enthusiast of Wunderkammer (chamber of curiosities), the natural world, or simply a collector of ultra-rare items bound to appreciate in value over time, this is an item worth looking to invest in. Sir David Attenborough was given an elephant bird egg whilst in Madagascar over 40 years ago but even the one he owns is not an intact one. Almost all the elephant bird eggs being traded around the world today are made up of sections of egg pieced back together. Eggs like those in possession of Sir David Attenborough are still very much sought after as (despite being broken) they have been put back together using only a few pieces of the original egg. The more pieces that have been used the lesser the value. It is so rare to find a whole egg, never before been broken, that they command seriously high prices when they change hands today. The world record price at auction for one of these eggs was achieved in 2014 when Christies, London sold for £122,500 (Travel, Science and Natural History Sale, 10th April 2014). Comparative literature: Balanoff, A.M. & Rowe, R., ‘Osteological Description of an Embryonic Skeleton of the Extinct Elephant Bird, Aepyornis’, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Memoir, Vol.9 (2007) Fig.6, p.9" Condition: In great condition, no damage. Important information: the egg originally had three small holes. It is more than likely that these holes (original to the egg) were done by humans at the time of its discovery in order to access its nutritious contents. We have photographs of the egg before the holes were restored/filled. The sympathetic restoration involved a complex process which will be shared with the buyer should he or she require further details. Size: Height 32cm Width 22cm.

Dimensions:
Height: 12.6 in (32 cm)Diameter: 8.67 in (22 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Eggshell
Place of Origin:
Madagascar
Period:
Early 17th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Pre-17th Century
Condition:
Additions or alterations made to the original: Important information: the egg originally had three small holes. It is more than likely that these holes (original to the egg) were done by humans at the time of its discovery in order to access its nutritious contents. We have photographs of the egg. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. In Great Condition - no damage. Important information: the egg originally had three small holes. It is more than likely that these holes (original to the egg) were done by humans at the time of its discovery in order to access its nutritious conte.
Seller Location:
Royal Tunbridge Wells, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: B71411stDibs: LU1348223765902

More From This Seller

View All

Antique Pre-17th Century Extremely Rare & Complete Elephant Bird Egg, Madagascar

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

An extremely rare elephant bird egg, complete albeit with only minor damage. The Elephant Bird, formally categorised as Aepyornis Maximus, is an enormous flightless bird native to Ma...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Other Taxidermy

Materials

Eggshell

Antique Pre-17th Century Extremely Rare & Complete Elephant Bird Egg, Madagascar

$31,703

17th Century John Speed Map of Denbighshire, c.1610

By John Speed

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique early 17th century British very rare and original John Speed, hand coloured map of Denbighshire, dated 1610, by John Sunbury and George Humble. John...

Category

Antique 17th Century British Maps

Materials

Wood, Paper

Free Shipping

Pair of Tall, Polished Airplane Propeller Blade Sculptures

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

A stunning pair of Airplane propeller blades, each highly polished to mirror effect, very decorative as modernist sculptures, for display or collection use only. The manufacturer ...

Category