Antique Platypus Skin Rug from Tasmania

An Australian 49 pelt platypus skin rug. 132 x 155 cm. This rug was acquired by the vendor from John Bovill, now deceased, in 1997. The rug had been in Mr Bovill's family, residents of Tasmania, since the pelts were collected in the late 19th and early 20th century and made into a blanket. Mr Bovill related that when he served in the merchant navy during World War II his father insisted he take the blanket with him. He recalled with some humour that whilst serving in the North Sea convoys he was grateful for the foresight his father showed as the blanket kept him warm, when he wrapped and belted it to himself under his oilskin, in the bleak conditions endured in that theatre of the war. It was the envy of crew-mates to whom he would lend it when he was off duty. Note: This lot has been identified at the time of cataloguing as containing organic material which may be subject to restrictions regrading export