Elephant Bird - Fossilised egg - Aepyornis maximus, Elefantenfußstrauß, postfossil, Vorompatra-Riesenvogel, endemisch - 32 cm - 22 cm

Prepared egg of Aepyornis maximus with a small feeding hole, No. XIV. Weight: 1700 g, circumference across (measured at the mid-axis): 70 cm, circumference along (measured at the mid-axis): 86 cm, height: 32 cm, width / maximum diameter at the thickest point: 22 cm.

The Vorompatras were the only giant flightless birds still observed, hunted, and eradicated by humans. The endemic, only found in Madagascar, 'Elephant Bird' is believed to have lived from the Pleistocene until the 17th century. It served as a food source for locals and passing ships until its extinction. Malagasy legends (ethnic groups of Mahafaly, Atandroy, and Antanosy) report that, 'in ancient times,' even the settlements of the indigenous people were built near the nesting sites of the flightless bird, as these were excellent sources of food. These sites were still considered sacred and kept as secret knowledge even after the birds' extinction. To this day, eggs are still owned by families, treated as heirlooms and 'curious treasures,' and are only sold in rare cases.

In science, first described in 1870 by the French researcher Granddidier as 'Aepyornis maximus' or earlier also known as Aepyornis titan (the largest of the four species of the genus Aepyornis), it was similar to today's African ostriches. A giant flightless bird, measuring over 3 meters tall, weighing about 500 kg. Its eggs are larger than any dinosaur eggs found so far. Since they were the largest eggs in the world, they are also biologically the largest known cells in the world. The Aepyornis served as the inspiration for the bird 'Rock' in tales from One Thousand and One Nights, which recount the adventures of Sindbad the sailor. In Arab stories, the 'elephant bird' is often mentioned, said to be so strong that it could grasp an elephant and fly away with it. The 'elephant birds' lived roughly at the same time as the well-known New Zealand giant flightless birds, the moas, which went extinct in the 19th century. Like the extinct moas, the living Australian emus, and South American nandus, the elephant bird had three toes. The Aepyornis was not related to the New Zealand moas. Its eggs contained 8 to 9 liters, six times more than those of the African ostrich and 150 times more than a chicken egg.

Untreated, unbroken eggs, without any additions, are among the post-fossil rarities and are extremely rare. These specimens have fetched prices of over €100,000. Somewhat more frequently, indigenous people find complete clutches of hatched chicks. The accompanying broken eggshells are also kept as treasures and sometimes reassembled. The egg offered here was artfully assembled by an experienced preparator in Madagascar from the original shells of a clutch. As is common in museum techniques, the object's original condition was restored. The remaining joints were sealed with ground shells and calcium carbonate binding agents. The resulting collector's item showcases the original splendor of the natural fossil and allows for acquisition at a much lower price than an unprepared egg. In any case, it is a unique piece in any collection and a witness to fossil history. This egg comes from a family collection from the 1970s to 1990s. Today, export from Madagascar is prohibited.
Delivery includes a foldable rosewood stand or Plexiglas ring (please specify your preference), a certificate, and a specialist brochure from Ernst Probst about all findings related to elephant birds.
If you are seriously interested, I would be happy to provide you with copies of all available documents relating to the object's provenance.
Delivery and viewing by arrangement.
Source of photos: Von Monnier -Source, Von Monnier digimorph.org, Wikimedia, Private collection