Sunday Times 4359

[woolfy42]

14d Artist passed over bananas to sick old beast (9)
A - - O - I - - -

25a Precious stuff symbolically placed in centre of cage (6)
S - - - E -

Any ideas?

[Jumbuck]

14d armadillo
25a silver

[woolfy42]

Thanks. I still don't see why it's silver.

I'm also stuck with 9a:

Adder taking sleep around furry creature (3,5)

R - D - A - D -

[dr b]

center of cAGe = symbol for silver.
Red panda = adder around nap, reversed.