Venus's Flower Basket
For the blogger who was seeking Venus's Flower Basket, this comment: excellent taste in invertebrates. A most lovely siliceous skeleton.
This magnificent sponge (Euplectella aspergillum) comes from the seas of Japan and the Philippines.
Information from the Natural History Museum of Florence.
Go here for other very interesting information regarding the cultural significance of this invertebrate.
Interestingly, very similar types of sponges (actually sponge skeletons) can be found preserved in rock from Cambrian age on here in the U.S. Amazing that so delicate a creature can find its way through time for us. I never seem to see the end of the riches of God's bounty and grace.