ANTIQUE 19thC NARWHAL TUSK WITH CITES CERTIFICATE c.1890

DESCRIPTION

Beautiful narwhal tusk from the latter part of the 19th century (with Cites certificate), 215cm long and showing superb patina. Some medieval Europeans believed narwhal tusks to be the horns from the legendary unicorn. As these horns were considered to have magic powers such as neutralising poison and curing melancholia, Vikings and other northern traders were able to sell them for many times their weight in gold.

The tusks were used to make cups that were thought to negate any poison that may have been slipped into the drink. In 1555 Olaus Magnus published a drawing of a fish-like creature with a horn on its forehead correctly identifying it as a "Narwhal". During the 16th century Queen Elizabeth I received a carved and bejewelled narwhal tusk worth 10,000 British Pounds (the cost of a castle) from Sir Humphrey Gilbert who proposed the tusk was from a "sea-unicorn". The tusks were staples of the cabinet of curiosities. European knowledge of the tusk's origin developed gradually during the Age of Exploration as explorers and naturalists began to visit Arctic regions themselves. Sold with Article 10 Certificate number 617059/01

CONDITION

In Good Condition - very good, old damage to the tip, quite possibly natural damage done during the lifetime of the narwhal itself. Please refer to photographs.

SIZE

Height: 215cm
Diameter at the widest point: 6cm