Koller - Out of This World Tuesday, 28 June 2022, 4pm

1878 ELEPHANT BIRD EGG Aaepyornis maximus Madagascar 5‘000-10‘000 years 31 x 24 cm Provenance: Swiss private collection Elephant birds, which were giant birds native to Madagascar, have been extinct since at least the 17th century. The species grew probably more than 3m in height and weighed in the range of 350 to 500 kg, which makes it the largest bird to have ever lived. The ancient Malagasy name for the bird is vorompatra, meaning „bird of the Ampatres“. The Ampatres are today known as the Androy region of southern Madagascar. Very rarely the subfossilized eggs are found intact. The National Geographic Society in Washington holds a specimen of an Aepyornis egg which was given to Luis Marden in 1967. The wonderful examplepresented here shows beautiful color, measures a stag- gering 31cm in height and is in very good condition. No cracks or damages are present and it shows overall a beautiful patina. CHF 10 000 / 20 000 (€ 9 710 / 19 420) | 78 Out of This World | Natural History, Space Exploration & Entertainment Memorabilia