estimate price

[lrx]

This fall one of my pet African Spurred tortoises passed away.. the shell size is around 14 inch length, 10 inch wide, 8 inch tall..

nature is taking its course on it to clean it right now its to the point that the shell is basically to the point of minor cleaning..

i was wondering if anyone knew estimate value of this as shell only.. was only able to find one online and it was for sale for 300$

and value of it if i where to take the time to clean and assemble the entire skeleton cant find this at all online..

my original idea with it was to carve out a picture on the shell but if i can sell it for a good amount will use the money to just buy some common shells to work with..   

[wetnwild]

If you try and carve into the upper scutes on the shell you will destroy it. they are thin layers of shell compacyed on top of each other in layers. trying to grind into it will open up a hornest nest you will not want to deal with. as for a price on an articulated one, it is only what someone is willingto pay for one. it is all based on demand. They are a very common shell, and easily found, but beautifull none the less. Your best bet might be a personal collector or an educational facility for the best price.

[lrx]

the scutes are already off.. so will be on bone.. i have done this on other shells i put a thin layer of ink on the shell and basically carve off the ink layer so very little carving into the bone is needed for the image to show..

thanks for the reply.. since i do not see much demand for that type of shell i am going to finish cleaning it and turn it into a piece of art..

[wetnwild]

Great, I WISH YOU LUCK. Post pictures when done would like to se them
tom