Penguin Foot Talisman from a 1930s Polar Expedition

Historical Wunderkammer Item: Penguin Foot Talisman from a 1930s Polar Expedition
This extraordinarily rare and fascinating specimen of a penguin foot is an indispensable cabinet piece for discerning collectors of curious natural historical objects and Wunderkammer items. The piece uniquely combines naturalistic rarity and ethnographic speculation.
The specimen is presumed to be from an Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri), the largest penguin in the world. The massive dimensions, the length of circa 16.5 cm, the width of 7 cm, and the impressively robust, jet-black claws of up to 3.5 cm, testify to the majesty of this Antarctic creature. The preservation is remarkable, with the light brown, honeycomb-like scale structure of the sole and the thick, darker armor of the foot's back being preserved in detail. The historical depth of this object is notable: its preparation is the true highlight: The foot is artfully bordered at the joint with a dark leather cuff and a dense wreath of original penguin feathers, crowned by a historical brass ring for hanging. This form of mounting suggests that this specimen was once a powerful amulet, a protective talisman, or a trophy object of an indigenous hunter from the subpolar regions. It is thus a museum-quality object d'histoire naturelle and at the same time an object d'art of ethnology. This exhibit is an exquisite relic of a bygone era of discovery that will hold a prominent place in any collection of Naturalia and Artificialia.
Proof of Provenance and Age (Historical Stock): The age of this specimen was non-bindingly estimated by the Zoological Main Preparation department of the Natural History Museum Vienna (NHM) to be in the period circa 1870 to 1930. The craftsmanship and the materials used (leather, historical preservation) are comparable to historical specimens from the turn of the century, according to the museum expertise. This scientifically validates and confirms the oral tradition of its acquisition during the 1920s to 1940s by a polar expedition. This collector's item is thus considered historical stock (Altbestand) and is sold with the corresponding proof.
Notes on Legality for the Buyer (EU Market Only): This Emperor Penguin specimen is not listed under the international CITES species protection agreement. The trade and shipping of this scientifically substantiated historical stock (Altbestand) is offered exclusively within the European Union. We expressly do not ship this object to third countries. Documentation and Buyer Protection: As proof of its historical classification, the buyer will receive a printout of the official email communication with the Zoological Main Preparation department of the Natural History Museum Vienna (NHM) upon delivery.
For Buyers within the EU: Although trade within the EU is largely free, the buyer is obliged to inform themselves about the national possession laws and species protection regulations of the respective EU member state before purchase, as they bear the responsibility for compliance with all local regulations regarding the possession of historical animal specimens. Signs of use appropriate for its age.