Sea Snail Sea shell - S-581 CASSIS CORNUTA (No reserve price)

Beautiful, large shell Cassis cornuta - horned helmet - a species of large, predatory snail from the family Cassidae, one of the largest snail species. The shell is in perfect condition with a beautiful coloration. A typical species of the genus Cassis. The spire is very low. On the last whorl there are three distinct, spiral rows of tubercles (horns); the largest of them are on the coronet, in the upper part of the shell. Adults in the top row have 5–7 long or short, rounded or pointed tubercles (horns). The two rows below have 3–4 smaller nodules. A characteristic feature is a clear, dense hammering (reticulate relief) on the surface of the shell. External surface of the shell is creamy, grayish or whitish, with brown stripes and spots. Large, oval parietal plate, color yellowish- to brownish-orange, with two spotted, spiral tubercles in the central part on the surface. The height of the parietal plate in adults is greater than the height of the shell. The outer lip is thick, wide, with 5–7 pale teeth on the middle inner edge. On the outer surface of the lip there are usually 7 wide brown spots. During growth, the new outer lip is extended after the whorl has rotated 270 degrees relative to the previous lip. Protoconch with 2 ½ slender whorls, whitish, smooth with a brown seam on the first whorl. Orange spindle, with 8–11 faintly distinguished pale bands in the lower half. Axial umbilical depression covered. Sometimes pieces of corals, rocks, or shell fragments get trapped in the space of the depression, rattling when the shell is shaken. Dimensions - 170/195/215 mm. The shell has a small nick, which is visible in the photos. Highly recommended for collectors and interior decorators.