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A striking relic of the seafaring imagination, this Jenny Haniver is a compelling piece, the product of human ingenuity and an enduring fascination with the mysteries of the ocean.
Made from a dried skate and skillfully reshaped, it displays the unsettling features of a chimera-like creature: an expressive, grotesque-looking head, fins transformed into wings, and a slender body that seems to waver between the human and the fantastical animal.
From the Renaissance onward, these artificial marine figures circulated in European ports, captivating travelers and collectors. Originating in Antwerp, their name arose from a corruption of Jeune d’Anvers (“young of Antwerp”), and they were quickly regarded as tangible proof of sea monsters. Displayed in cabinets of curiosities, they held pride of place among fossils, corals, narwhal tusks, and other natural marvels.
This specimen, which can be dated to the first half of the 20th century, fits perfectly within that centuries-old tradition. Its preservation and the force of its presence make it a rare and distinctive piece, endowed with a mysterious aura that immediately draws the eye.
A fascinating object—at once a handcrafted work and a witness to an older imagination—ideal for enriching a collection devoted to the strange, the fantastic, and maritime curiosities.
PERIOD : early 20th century
DIMENSIONS : 41 cm × 14 cm
SIZE : 16" × 5.5"
