657 - A mounted narwhal tusk

A mounted narwhal tusk Monodon monoceros, silver; carved wooden base with gilding. In three parts, connected with cuffs. Tip possibly replaced, with a small chip at the top; a break-out near the upper third has been reinserted; an old drilled hole at a height of 20 cm from the bottom, presumably from an earlier mounting. Length 187.5, height including foot 197 cm. The narwhal inhabits Arctic waters and is found almost exclusively in areas of pack ice. In predominantly male, but also female animals, the left tusk grows spirally to a length of up to three metres. This tusk is a highly sensitive sensory organ with approximately ten million nerve endings. It enables the whale to detect temperature, salinity, pressure and chemical changes in the water, allowing it to locate fish and other prey. Male narwhals use the tusk as a weapon in territorial fights, as evidenced by broken tusks and scars on the forehead. Narwhal tusks, which were occasionally washed ashore, were regarded for centuries as evidence of the existence of the unicorn. The most famous depictions of the mythical creature with its long horn are in Paris, at the Musée de Cluny, now the Musée national du Moyen Âge. They comprise a series of six early millefleurs tapestries from the late 15th century, in which a courtly lady and a unicorn represent allegories of the five senses. The sixth tapestry is entitled Mon seul désir and depicts the unicorn and the lady with the jewellery casket. Marketing authorisation DE-K-240418-243 for the EU internal market has been obtained. Literature For the material, see Philippovich, Elfenbein, Munich 1982, pp. 13 ff.