Curiosity Objects - Natural Science - "Late 19th to Early 20th Century" the walrus - Height: 520 mm - Width: 52 mm- 750 g - (1)

Walrus Baculum Antique Penis Bone – Odobenus rosmarus — What we present is an authentic walrus penis bone (baculum - Odobenus rosmarus), a natural-history specimen of extraordinary rarity, dating most likely from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Long and curved, this bone bears on its surface the marks of time, with an aged patina that testifies to its authenticity. The baculum is a bone present in the male genitalia of many mammals, but not in humans: for this reason, since the 19th century, specimens like this have aroused wonder and curiosity in natural collections and Wunderkammern, where they were shown as proof of nature’s oddities. In the case of the walrus, this bone can reach exceptional lengths, becoming the most imposing in the entire animal kingdom. Ancient specimens, such as the one proposed here, were not only biological curiosities but were sometimes interpreted as talismans of strength and fertility, or transformed into ornamental objects. Among sailors and Arctic peoples, the walrus baculum was considered a symbol of virile power, while in Europe, in private collections, it was displayed as a rarity worthy of wonder beside corals, fossils, and narwhal tusks. The piece is now mounted on a wooden support, which enhances its sinuous line and allows it to be appreciated as an exhibition object. A specimen that unites zoology, anthropology, and collecting, capable of evoking both the strength of Arctic animals and the Victorian taste for the marvelous.