Ornamental Shell of an Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans), India or Sri Lanka, Late Nineteenth Century

Summary

The 1880s International Exhibitions held in Melbourne showcased not only the latest in fine and decorative arts, industry and technology, but also strange and foreign objects - such as this shell of an Indian star tortoise - that would have appealed to late Victorian tastes.

Indian or Sri Lankan Star tortoise shell, circa 1880. Used as an ornament, the shell measures 6.3cm high, 12.9cm wide and 8.5cm deep.

The 1880s International Exhibitions held in Melbourne showcased not only the latest in fine and decorative arts, industry and technology, but also strange and foreign objects - such as this shell of an Indian star tortoise - that would have appealed to late Victorian tastes.

Photographs depicting some of the exhibits in the so-called 'Minor Courts' - countries such as South Africa, Mauritius, China - show exhibits of ostrich feathers, elephant tusks, and deer horns. Even larger courts of countries within the British Empire, like India and Ceylon, captured visitors' imagination with exotic displays of elephant skulls, carved tusks, ebony cigar cases and ink wells, porcupine-quill work boxes, and tortoise-shell boxes.