rare pair of collectible paper shells Taxidermy full body mount - Argonauta argo + Argonauta cornuta - 13.5 cm - 19 cm - 5.5 cm - 2
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Current bid
€ 200
Reserve price met
Expert
Selected by Jonas Rathaj
Has worked with taxidermy since childhood and gained retailer experience.
Estimate € 280 - € 350
 | €200 | |
|---|---|---|
| €150 | |
| €130 | |
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Two paper-shell specimens from Madagascar, Argonauta argo and Argonauta cornuta, in good condition, dating to 2025, total weight 500 g, with dimensions 19 cm × 13.5 cm × 5.5 cm and 8.5 cm × 6.5 cm × 5.5 cm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Argonauta is a genus of cephalopod mollusks belonging to the order Octopoda (octopuses).
The most famous species is Argonauta argo, also found in the Mediterranean Sea.
This animal is famous for its incredible biological peculiarities:
the female possesses two modified tentacles that secrete an extremely thin calcareous hydrodynamic structure (similar to a paper shell). It is not a true biological shell, but a protective "navicella" that the animal uses to float and to guard its eggs. The female can reach the size of an apple.
The male, by contrast, is tiny (about the size of a candy or a grain of rice) and has no shell at all.
To mate, the male develops a special reproductive tentacle (ectocotile) that literally detaches from its body and swims unaided toward the female to fertilize her. Shortly after, the male dies.
A lot featuring two different Argonauta specimens: the more common Argonauta ARGO this time in truly XXL dimensions, 19 cm x 13.5 cm x 5.5 cm and the rarer Argonauta CORNUTA, still sizeable, 8.5 cm x 6.5 cm x 5.5 cm.
The Argonauta shows clear signs of organic consolidation while the Argonauta cornuta shows three small holes on the spines due to predator bites.
However when placed inside an exhibition on the right side they are exceptional and intact.
Base not included, made from reclaimed material and used for photographic purposes only.
A necessary clarification. The final image in our photo gallery is obtained with the help of AI software.
The purpose is purely aesthetic yet demonstrative: it shows the real object inside an artificially generated setting.
The aim is to show how valuable the auction objects are and how well they look in different environments, all extremely refined.
Thank you for your attention.
Happy bidding.
Seller's Story
We deal with naturalistic objects in
Prevalence coming from the fascinating
marine world, but by enthusiasts and
Lovers of enchanting facets.
Of life, we also propose minerals and.
metaphysical stones, taxidermies, fossils, and
decorative objects
A continuous journey through time and...
Space for the search for testimonies.
Precious.
Passion is the fire that fuels.
Our choices: collaborations with the
Major importers from exotic countries.
but also travels to discover sought-after destinations
objects
Ongoing research of new developments and
Our increasingly refined aesthetic.
main objectives
Just observe like a collector.
He manages the objects in his display case.
As soon as he/she/they take(s) one in hand, the
His or her inspired gaze seems to pierce through.
The object is to lose oneself in its distances.
Here lies the magical side of the collector.
Walter Benjamin
Translated by Google TranslateArgonauta is a genus of cephalopod mollusks belonging to the order Octopoda (octopuses).
The most famous species is Argonauta argo, also found in the Mediterranean Sea.
This animal is famous for its incredible biological peculiarities:
the female possesses two modified tentacles that secrete an extremely thin calcareous hydrodynamic structure (similar to a paper shell). It is not a true biological shell, but a protective "navicella" that the animal uses to float and to guard its eggs. The female can reach the size of an apple.
The male, by contrast, is tiny (about the size of a candy or a grain of rice) and has no shell at all.
To mate, the male develops a special reproductive tentacle (ectocotile) that literally detaches from its body and swims unaided toward the female to fertilize her. Shortly after, the male dies.
A lot featuring two different Argonauta specimens: the more common Argonauta ARGO this time in truly XXL dimensions, 19 cm x 13.5 cm x 5.5 cm and the rarer Argonauta CORNUTA, still sizeable, 8.5 cm x 6.5 cm x 5.5 cm.
The Argonauta shows clear signs of organic consolidation while the Argonauta cornuta shows three small holes on the spines due to predator bites.
However when placed inside an exhibition on the right side they are exceptional and intact.
Base not included, made from reclaimed material and used for photographic purposes only.
A necessary clarification. The final image in our photo gallery is obtained with the help of AI software.
The purpose is purely aesthetic yet demonstrative: it shows the real object inside an artificially generated setting.
The aim is to show how valuable the auction objects are and how well they look in different environments, all extremely refined.
Thank you for your attention.
Happy bidding.
Seller's Story
We deal with naturalistic objects in
Prevalence coming from the fascinating
marine world, but by enthusiasts and
Lovers of enchanting facets.
Of life, we also propose minerals and.
metaphysical stones, taxidermies, fossils, and
decorative objects
A continuous journey through time and...
Space for the search for testimonies.
Precious.
Passion is the fire that fuels.
Our choices: collaborations with the
Major importers from exotic countries.
but also travels to discover sought-after destinations
objects
Ongoing research of new developments and
Our increasingly refined aesthetic.
main objectives
Just observe like a collector.
He manages the objects in his display case.
As soon as he/she/they take(s) one in hand, the
His or her inspired gaze seems to pierce through.
The object is to lose oneself in its distances.
Here lies the magical side of the collector.
Walter Benjamin
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
After 2000
Specimen
rare pair of collectible paper shells
Scientific name
Argonauta argo + Argonauta cornuta
Number of objects
2
Country of origin
Madagascar
Condition
Good condition
Year
2025
Weight
500 g
Height
13.5 cm
Width
19 cm
Depth
5.5 cm
