LATE 18TH, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

A MERMAID
LATE 18TH, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
An essemble of wood, papier-mâché with taxidermied fish and monkey parts, supported on a wooden stand with manuscript label, housed in an Edwardian display case
30½ in. (78 cm.) wide in display case

Literature

See item 72 in Fake?: The art of deception, Jones (ed.), London: British Museum, 1990.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. This lot will be removed to an off-site warehouse at the close of business on the day of sale - 2 weeks free storage

Sale room notice

Please note that this specimen requires a CITES license for exportation outside the European Union and the purchaser will be required to identify each species for export

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

A cryptozoological hoax, possibly originating in the 18th century, these would-be mermaids are alleged to have been caught by sailors in the South China Seas and brought back to the West for natural history collections.

More from Christie's Interiors

View All