Distinguished

The Syrinx aruanus shell is known as the Australian Trumpet, as in the past it was emptied and used by Indigenous peoples as a wind instrument (trumpet). The Syrinx aruanus with the periostracum represents the rarest preservation form and most valued by collectors. It is the largest living gastropod in the world. The periostracum is the outer, horny layer of the shell, composed of an organic substance called conchiolin. In this species it appears as: a "peluria" or fibrous membrane of brown-black or grayish color. It protects the calcium carbonate shell from erosion and parasitic organisms. It is usually removed to expose the underlying shell, which ranges in tone from pale white to pale orange. Finding specimens with the periostracum intact is difficult because it tends to dry out and detach after the mollusk’s death. Fantastic lot: Syrinx with periostracum and an operculum of exceptional size. Stand not included. A necessary clarification. The final image in our photographic gallery is obtained with the help of AI software. The aim is purely aesthetic but also illustrative: it shows the real object inside an artificially generated scenography. The goal is to show how valuable the auction items are and how well they stand out in different environments, all exceedingly refined. Thank you for your attention. Happy bidding.

Estimate:$504.77

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