Eighteenth century armadillo that made it alive to Britain
A 3 x 5in (7cm x 13cm) miniature watercolour on ivory offered for sale at Toovey’s (plus 24.5% buyer’s premium) in Washington, West Sussex, recalls a small but significant moment in the history of British zoology.
The subject is an armadillo with an extensive inscription to the reverse, dated November 10, 1763,…