Beaver in teal reeds Hippopotamus held by the Metropolitan Museum

held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession 1989

with tiny shell shapes standing in for the applique along the bottom of the dress

A version in grey is held by the Chicago History Museum (accession 1959

an English dress from ca

Beaver in teal reeds Hippopotamus held by the Metropolitan MuseumWhats more Canadian than a beaver? Not much, youd think, what with it being our national animal and all. This beaver, however, is not Canadian; its a European beaver. But you probably cant tell, and neither can anyone else. If you dont tell, then neither will I. This bewhiskered beaver is made from orange and gold Nepalese paper and features a gold glass bead eye. It is based on a 1774 illustration of Castor fiber (European beaver) from Die Saugthiere