Though oddly labeled with what sounds like a personal name, a Jenny Haniver is actually the dried and modified corpse of a cartilaginous fish (usually a ray or skate).

Jenny Hanivers often resemble devils, angels, mermaids and other standard Weekly World News fare. One theory of origin is that Antwerp sailors would sit on the docs and carve these specimens, preserve them with a coat of varnish and sell them to tourists.

Some involve some pretty amazing artistry, and are beautiful collectors items for cryptozoologists.

I love the seemingly ubiquitous grin…

Sometimes Jenny Hanivers show up unexpectedly, without human manipulation. The unassuming seafood shopper in Japan may indeed run across them in fish markets:

Barring the smell, I think it would be quite a treat to walk by something like this.