An archaeopteryx is the first known bird species and thought to be the link between the dinosaurs and modern day birds. Only 12 known fossils exist of it. Knuthenborg Evolution Museum owns one of these, specimen no. 8, and we were asked to design a special display cabinet for it.

The finished design borrows details from the memorial stones of Danish Neo-classical sculptor Johannes Wiedevelt found on many Danish manor estates.

Covering the cabinet is a text with quotes from Darwin describing the fossil and the story behind it, hand-painted by Copenhagen Signs.

The specimen itself is mounted in a polished brass mount inside a brightly colored textile-clad cabinet space.

The cabinet was built by Rammelisten and is on permanent display at Knuthenborg Evolution Museum in on Lolland in Southern Denmark.

All photos by David Stjernholm.