Arctic Narwhal Tusk with a Deep Spiralling Groove ‘Monodon Monoceros’ (1700 to 1800 Arctic)

Narwhal

See Finch & Co catalogue no.3, item no.40, catalogue no.12, item no.51, and catalogue no.13, item no.58, and 123, for other examples
CITES documentation available for export

Seeking the unicorn became a feature of the exploration of the New World in the 16th and 17th centuries. So many new animals and species of plants were being discovered that is seemed possible that one day the fabled unicorn would be found. The ‘Great Horn of Windsor’, which was valued by the German traveller Hentzner in 1598 at £100,000 was, picked up on an island in Frobishers Strait on July 22 1577. When it reached England it was ‘reserved as a jewell by the Queen Majesty’s commandment, in her wardrobe of robes’. It was, of course, a narwhal tusk.

An Antique Arctic Narwhal Tusk with a Deep Spiralling Groove ‘Monodon Monoceros’
Fine old mellow and smooth worn patina
18th Century

Size: 192.5cm long – 75¾ ins long