Leopold Blaschka and his son Rudolf ran a highly successful glass modelling business in Germany throughout the late 19th century. They specialised in the construction of anatomically precise models of marine animals like these. D’Arcy Thompson (Professor of Natural History at University College, Dundee) ordered a large selection of models from Blaschka in 1888 – this is one of only 13 that now survive. In his famous book On Growth and Form D’Arcy repeatedly compares organic forms to shapes made by glassblowers, perhaps thinking of these very models.

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DUNUC 2875