Shell of an Eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill turtle), size 45 cm, widespread in the seas of the tropics, subtropics and temperate latitudes. The carapace's shields overlap like roof tiles. Parts of the skeleton can also be seen through the back lighting. Unfortunately, because of the beauty of the tortoiseshell, this species is still very endangered. I bought the object under adventurous circumstances from an Indonesian fisherman. The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Endangered Species had not yet been agreed upon at this point. Tortoiseshell has been sought after since ancient times as a raw material for the production of art and everyday objects (e.g. jewelry, furniture inlays, caskets, combs / "search: comb"). Matching the motif is a quote from the Swiss writer Robert Walser: "Nature doesn't need to make an effort to be important, it is." [hint: this is an automatic translation from German]   |   Category: artefact   |   Material: Schildpatt Präparate   |   Country of origin: East Java, Indonesia | Similar pieces