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Marine Mollusk Masterpieces: Artistry from the Depths, Hand-Colored in 1849

About the Item

Title: "Marine Mollusk Masterpieces: Artistry from the Depths" This collection of hand-colored engravings, meticulously crafted, offers a window into the diverse world of marine mollusks. From the common limpet (Patella vulgata) with its iconic conical shell to the ornate keyhole limpet (Fissurella nimbosa), each illustration reveals the intricate designs nature has sculpted. The Chinese hat shell (Calyptraea chinensis) and the segmented armor of the chiton (Chiton squamosus) display the varied adaptations of these sea creatures. Fossilized forms like the Calceola sandalina and living wonders like the sea hare (Aplysia punctata) and the moon snail (Natica canrena) are captured in exquisite detail, highlighting the intersection of science and artistry in the study of natural history. These prints, part of the "Dictionnaire Universel d'Histoire Naturelle," are not only scientific records but also a celebration of the aesthetic beauty found in the marine ecosystem. Based on the labels provided in the illustrations, here are the species depicted: **First Image** 1. **Patella vulgata**: Commonly known as the common limpet, a marine gastropod with a simple conical shell. 2. **Fissurella nimbosa**: Also known as the keyhole limpet due to the distinctive hole at the top of its shell. 3. **Calyptraea chinensis**: A species of sea snail that has a cap-like shell, often referred to as the Chinese hat shell. 4. **Pleurotomaria quoyana**: A gastropod that has a gilled, top-shaped shell with a slit-like opening. 5. **Dentalium elephantinum**: Tusk shells or "elephant's tusks," characterized by their long, tubular shells. 6. **Chiton squamosus**: A type of chiton with a unique, segmented shell made up of eight overlapping plates. **Second Image** 7. **Thecidium mediterraneum**: A small, sessile bivalve with a cup-shaped shell, often found attached to rocks or algae. 8. **Calceola sandalina**: Known as the "shoe coral," a fossil coral that resembles a slipper or shoe. 9. **Terebratula sp.**: A genus of brachiopods, which are marine animals with bivalve-like shells but belong to a different phylum. **Third Image** 10. **Aplysia punctata**: Also known as the sea hare, a large sea slug known for its soft body and ink release when threatened. 11. **Sigaretus haliotoideus**: Resembling a miniature abalone, these gastropods have a depressed shell with a pearly interior. 12. **Natica canrena**: Moon snails, recognized by their globular, smooth shells and voracious appetite for bivalves. 13. **Bulla ampulla**: A type of bubble snail, these gastropods have thin, bubble-like shells. 14. **Umbrella mediterranea**: Mediterranean umbrella snails, with a flattened, disc-shaped shell. These illustrations from the "Dictionnaire Universel d'Histoire Naturelle" are detailed representations of various mollusk species, showcasing the diversity found within this phylum, both in form and habitat.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.65 in (24.5 cm)Width: 6.11 in (15.5 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 3
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1849
  • Condition:
    Good. Some edges a bit rough, but leaving enough space for matting or framing. Some soiling due to handling over almost 200 years, adding to its patina. Study the images carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13718-4 and BG-13718-16 and BG-13718-181stDibs: LU3054338164632
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