In response to inquiries about "feejee mermaid" popularized by P T
Barnum, the following information is offered regarding the piece held in
the Peabody Museum-Harvard University, and exhibited in Baltimore in the
exhibit "Mermaids, Mummies, and Mastodons" in 1990.  In Steven Williams'
"Buried Treasures of the Peabody Museum" (published by Harvard U) No. 2.
1969, the piece is described as "Java Mermaid".

This "mermaid" is 38 cm L x 13 cm W x 12 cm H. The piece is constructed
with a body and tail of a fish (possibly of the "Sparidae family") joined
to a head and torso of unknown materials (possibly papier mache).  The
head does appear to be pigmented papier mache applied to a foundation
(wood? papier mache? mammal skull?).  Additional fish parts (again of the
Sparidae family?) include bony fin rays (dorsal; pelvic; pectoral) and
molariform and caniform teeth. Teeth are artificially set into "mouth".
Surface hair has been applied in patches; and was identified as wool.


T.Rose Holdcraft
Conservation Department
Peabody Museum-Harvard University
11 Divinity Avenue
Cambridge, MA  02138
email:  [log in to unmask]