Medusae Urchin

About

Sea urchins, known as the echidnas of the sea, are spiky echinoderms with a vulnerable but delicious centre! The urchin’s shell or test with its fivefold symmetry has captivated artists and beachcombers over the centuries, including Aristotle who described the anatomy of sea urchins in his History of Animals. In fact, the ancient lamps of his time are named Aristotle’s Lantern based on the sea urchin shape.

These urchins were collected from Edward’s Beach following a wild storm which swept hundreds of sea urchins onto the sand, tangled in great clumps of sea kelp. Miraculously, most were intact globes without their spines, a rarity as urchins are usually scattered in jigsaw remnants. The shells are dusky white with a soft green patina and mauve stipples.

Specifications: Porcelain pendant, 8cm long, diameter 15.3cm