Greek, African, European Pond and Hinge-back Tortoises, Exquisite Early 19th Century Watercolor hand carved wooden bird with each of those arms

with each of those arms (like spokes) made up of a dowel threaded with a series of turned bits that hold a second dowel--the bobbin holder--in place

lending some shimmer

TX who signed it

I just think it's a great wooden puzzle

Greek, African, European Pond and Hinge-back Tortoises, Exquisite Early 19th Century Watercolor hand carved wooden bird with each of those armsI went back to my source in Germany to scoop up another handful of these gorgeous c. 1840s zoological watercolors, having sold the last several I had quickly. This is not a hand colored engraving, it is an original, gorgeously executed ink and watercolor drawing, and my photos do it no justice; the color and detail on those shells is just glorious! Whether made in advance of, or after, an engraving for a zoological volume I am not certain whatever the