‡ An ammonite
Canada, late Cretaceous
49.5cm
This lot is sold with a double dagger (‡) refer to buyers guide
| Condition: |
Good condition unusually deep 49 by 42 by approx. 10cm thick. Weight 9.7kg. These types of ammonites all have a thin coating of presumably epoxy resin to consolidate the shell. The added benefit is that because it is a clear finish it adds to the lustre and highlights the natural beauty. Other than that I could not see any missing pieces replacements or restoration, they are very good specimens. |
| Estimate: |
£25,000 - £30,000
|
|
Hammer price:
|
£25,000 |
Bidding ended. Lot has been sold.
The Bear Paw geographical formation of Alberta, Canada is famous for a substance called ammolite, a most attractive mineral that is often used in jewellery and for other decorative purposes. Ammolite is actually the crushed up remains of a fossil ammonite known scientifically as Placentieras meeki. Sometimes, however, whole ammonites are found and these are far too rare and wonderful to be broken up into fragments. they are fantastically coloured in shades of iridescent reds and greens and have to be seen to be believed. Because of their great beauty, rarity and exquisite appearance they are highly sought after and the example offered here is a particularly large one. Due to their intrinsic value their export from Canada is now subject to serious restrictions and only those that were exported legally an be offered for sale. The ammonites lived over 70 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period and the extraordinary colours were formed due to the intense pressure and heat to which the fossils have been subjected over the course of their existence.
Fossils
Natural History
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