Banded guitarfish skull (Zapteryx exasperata). They were supplying biological specimens

They were supplying biological specimens in the mid to late 20th Century

By doing this the artist reveals the blue grey layers below the outer layer of the shell

Judging by the brass fittings etc

" This is a genuine early example of these and not a more modern reproduction

The company of Auzoux was established in 1827 by Louis Auzoux as a manufacturer and supplier of high-quality anatomical models

Banded guitarfish skull (Zapteryx exasperata). They were supplying biological specimensThis is a beautifully prepared and mounted skull of a banded guitarfish Zapteryx exasperata. The banded guitarfish is an elasmobranch related to the rays although the body shape is half way between rays and typical shark form. Their diet is animals living in the sand and mud such as crabs and shellfish. As you can see on the jaws of this skull, the teeth are flattened for crushing hard shells. This skull has come from a specimen that was caught for