Carapace Clam - Cassis rufa (No reserve price)
06
days
19
hours
01
minute
06
seconds
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 135960 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Specimen: Cassis rufa; natural sea snail from Madagascar, year 1985, weight 594 g, condition with minor damage, authentic/original, not CITES-listed.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Natural sea shell (Cassis rufa / Red Helmet Shell / Cameo Shell)
Dimensions: 14.8 cm long, 35 cm circumference, opening 12 cm
Weight: 594 grams
Geological period/time: Recent (Quaternary)
This specimen shines beautifully and is exceptionally intense in color. The flat underside (the callus) and the lips with the characteristic white 'teeth' have a deep, unfaded fire-red to intense orange porcelain luster. The texture on the dorsal side looks good and features beautiful markings with natural patterns.
This specimen was purchased in 1985 at the well-known GEA fair (Geological Activities) in the sports hall of the VU (Vrije Universiteit) on De Boelelaan in Amsterdam. It is a fair, old vintage collectible that at the time was included in a private Dutch collection and has since always been carefully kept indoors (protected from sunlight).
The Cassis rufa is worldwide known as the 'Cameo Shell'. Thanks to the different, contrasting color layers in the thick shell wall (white on deep red/orange), this species has been used for centuries in Italy to carve exclusive cameo jewelry. This particular specimen excels with the exceptionally deep, fiery color of the aperture and the shell. A fantastic and colorful adornment for the serious shell collector, a cabinet of curiosities, or as a high-end maritime decorative piece.
Natural sea shell (Cassis rufa / Red Helmet Shell / Cameo Shell)
Dimensions: 14.8 cm long, 35 cm circumference, opening 12 cm
Weight: 594 grams
Geological period/time: Recent (Quaternary)
This specimen shines beautifully and is exceptionally intense in color. The flat underside (the callus) and the lips with the characteristic white 'teeth' have a deep, unfaded fire-red to intense orange porcelain luster. The texture on the dorsal side looks good and features beautiful markings with natural patterns.
This specimen was purchased in 1985 at the well-known GEA fair (Geological Activities) in the sports hall of the VU (Vrije Universiteit) on De Boelelaan in Amsterdam. It is a fair, old vintage collectible that at the time was included in a private Dutch collection and has since always been carefully kept indoors (protected from sunlight).
The Cassis rufa is worldwide known as the 'Cameo Shell'. Thanks to the different, contrasting color layers in the thick shell wall (white on deep red/orange), this species has been used for centuries in Italy to carve exclusive cameo jewelry. This particular specimen excels with the exceptionally deep, fiery color of the aperture and the shell. A fantastic and colorful adornment for the serious shell collector, a cabinet of curiosities, or as a high-end maritime decorative piece.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Specimen
Carapace
Scientific name
Cassis rufa
No. of items
1
Country of origin
Madagascar
CITES relevancy
Non-CITES species
Condition
Minor damage
Year
1985
Weight
594 g
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
