Three Rare and Exotic Indian Starred Tortoiseshells ‘Geochelone Elegans’ (1800 to 1900 India)

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Tortoiseshell

Found in Sri Lanka and peninsular India the radiating shell pattern of the star tortoise is both fascinating and very striking, but it also serves as effective camouflage in the wild especially when the tortoise is partially concealed under tussocks of dry grass.
The great 18th century English collector Sir Hans Sloane had 67 different tortoiseshells in his natural history collection, but his collection contained only two examples of the Indian starred tortoise.

SHELL C - SOLD

Three Rare and Exotic Indian Starred Tortoiseshells ‘Geochelone Elegans’
19th Century

Sizes: a 12.5cm high, 21cm long, 14cm wide – 5 ins high, 8¼ ins long, 5½ ins wide
b 9cm high, 17.5cm long, 12.5cm wide – 3½ ins high, 7 ins long, 5 ins wide
c 8cm high, 12.5cm long, 9cm wide – 3 ins high, 5 ins long, 3½ ins wide - SOLD
C.I.T.E.S documentation available