Here's a selection of interesting or unusual items I came across in the marketplace this week. Tell us what you think of some of these. -Editor

This caught my eye partly because of the medium, bios durci, a hardened wood product made from sawdust, albumen and animal blood. While bois durci items are relatively rare, it's not unusual to see large items like this that would be difficult to strike in metal.

This is in the stock of E-Sylum supporter Hedley Betts. I checked with him on this, and buyers can ignore the "Does not ship to United States" notice. This listing is for potential U.K. buyers, but the piece is in the U.S. and can be shipped anywhere. -Editor

Here's one of Hedley's medals that caught my eye this week. I don't recall any other coin or medal designs featuring a hydra, but I'm sure there are some. Can anyone send us an image? -Editor

Well, it's Art Deco-like, even if it's not from the 1930s. I was attracted to this piece for its spare industrial design. It's not beautiful, but captures and evokes its subject well. -Editor