An exceptional, intact example of an Aepyornis maximus egg, with a creamy white and beautifully preserved stippled surface. Also known as elephant bird, the now extinct Aepyornis was native to the island of Madagascar. A truly enormous creature, it measured an impressive 10 feet and could weigh up to 1200 lb. Its eggs are the largest known across all species, and specimens as large as the present example are themselves among the largest elephant bird eggs ever found.
It is believed that human activity precipitated the extinction of the elephant bird, which has been associated to the legendary Malagasy vorompatra (“marsh bird”), as well as other fabled winged creatures such as the roc of the One Thousand and One Nights. A single Aepyornis egg could indeed provide meals for entire families and the equivalent to roughly 150 chicken eggs, making nests highly desirable targets for poaching. Intact examples are very rare, with less than forty known specimens currently preserved in public institutions.
Height: 13 inches (33 cm)
Provenance
French private collection.
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