A Superb Early 20thC Natural History Taxidermy Specimen of an Armadillo Shell Basket on Stand
SOLD
Origin: English
Period: Early 20th Century
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1900-10
Height: 14 inches
Depth: 7 inches
Width: 9.5 inches (all at maximum)
Brass rod mounted on a quality ebony enamelled bell shaped plinth ceramic stand with plush velvet pad top, the armadillo basket having a curled tail up over the shell towards the head to form a handle, survives from the Edwardian period.
In very fine order with light general wear commensurate with age to both the stand, with some blemish marks, and some very minor hair loss to the basket itself. The brass-plated road has some wear with the plush cushion stand still in pretty sound condition and there is one very small repair to the interior of the basket.
Charles Apelt, a German basketmaker, first popularised the armadillo basket by displaying one at the World’s Fair in 1902. His family company, the Apelt Armadillo Company was in business until the 1970s.
A good quality example of its type, with the high build quality stand and a basket of good colour, which has survived far better than most.