Pair of Tiger Nautilus Shells Cups on Silver Plated Coral formed Stands.

Conchology Natural History / Antique Shells and Shell Collections
Date c.1900-1920 Antiques
Material:  shell, silver plated metal
Origin: British
Condition Excellent.
 
H 32cm, 12.6 Inch W: 10cm, 4-inch D:18cm, 7-inch (shells on stands) approx.
 
A pair of unique Tiger Nautilus (Pompilius) coiled nacreous shells having logarithmic spirals with a fine colour, mounted on silver plated stands formed as coral and seabed. Unique sculptural collectors’ pieces alone or perfect additions to a Conchology collection.
 
The nautilus is a "living fossil" having undergone little change in over 400 million years. It dominated the ancient seas before the rise of fishes and appeared about 265 million years before the first dinosaurs. In prehistoric times there were about 10,000 different species of the nautilus, but only five species have survived to the present day.  As a natural specimen, nautilus susceptible to naturally occurring growth lines and will have acquired minor marks and imperfections during its lifetime.
 
These shells may have provided inspiration for voluted Ionic capitals of ancient Greece. Nautilus shells were popular items in the Renaissance cabinet of curiosities and were often mounted by gold and silversmiths on a thin stem to make extravagant cornucopia, nautilus shell cups, mainly intended as decorative curiosities rather than for use, just as we see here. Small natural history collections were common in mid-19th century Victorian homes, and chambered nautilus shells were popular decorations.
 
Perfect for a collector  cabinet of curiosities.