3D model of a brass candlestick (NHMW-ZOO-MO-0081100-ETH-059)

<p>3D model of brass candlestick that is part of the Uetz collection.&nbsp;The brass candlestick depicts a horseman on a dromedary holding a stylised palm tree with a candle holder.&nbsp;The body of the dromedary is made from the shell of a tiger cowrie (<i>Cypraea tigris</i>).&nbsp;Adult cowrie snails have very round, egg-shaped shells and do not have the typical spiral-shaped shells with a clearly recognisable top (apex).</p><p>Karl Uetz (1914–1998) was a private collector and owner of a large mollusc collection. In addition to thousands of snail and mussel shells, the collection also contains approximately 200 art and everyday objects as well as ethnographic objects. The collection was purchased by the NHM in 1974 and digitised in 2025.</p>