Red-Orange Sea Urchin Test with Perfect Pentaradial...

Deep Natural Colors - Echinus Esculentus - Large Size — This superb specimen represents the shell, or more correctly the "test", of a Common Sea Urchin (Echinus esculentus). From the waters of Cornwall, United Kingdom, this piece stands out for its notable size and exceptional state of preservation, making it a highly valued item both scientifically and decoratively. Its intact and pristine natural architecture allows us to appreciate every detail of one of the most fascinating geometries in the marine world. Observing the specimen, one is immediately struck by its almost perfectly sub-spherical shape and rigorous pentaradial symmetry, a hallmark of echinoderms. The surface is not smooth but finely carved with thousands of small hemispherical tubercles, arranged in orderly rows. These tubercles, in life, served as articulation points for the spines. The five ambulacral areas, where the ambulacral pedicellariae were located, are clearly visible and alternate with the five broader interambulacral areas, creating a hypnotic pattern radiating from the apical pole to the oral end. The aesthetic value of this specimen is enhanced by its spectacular natural coloration. The broad interambulacral bands display an intense and vibrant red-orange, which contrasts magnificently with the cream-white of the tubercles and the narrower ambulacral bands. This pigmentation is not artificial but the animal’s original livery, magnificently preserved. Such chromaticism, combined with geometric perfection, transforms this shell into a true natural sculpture. The sea urchin test is a marvel of bioengineering, a rigid endoskeleton composed of calcite plates finely interlocked. This Echinus esculentus specimen, also known as the edible sea urchin, is typical of the northeastern Atlantic and the North Sea. Its dimensions, larger than the species’ average, attest to a mature individual that thrived in its habitat. It is an excellent educational tool for understanding the anatomy of these fascinating marine invertebrates. For its integrity, size, and chromatic beauty, this sea urchin is a collection piece of great interest. Natural history objects of this quality are increasingly sought to enrich a modern Wunderkammer or a Cabinet of Curiosities. Its sculptural presence also makes it a rare element of interior design, capable of dialoguing with both classical and contemporary settings, carrying with it the echo of nature’s mathematical precision and the beauty of the ocean. Technical details Name: Sea Urchin Test Classification: Echinus esculentus Origin: Cornwall, United Kingdom Dimensions: 110 x 110 x 84 mm Weight: 76 g Conditions: Natural specimen in excellent state of preservation.

Estimate:£159.06

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