Lot 87
Lebanon, Upper Cretaceous, 95 million years ago. Appearing as if it is making a sudden attack turn to swallow up two smaller fish near the end of its sword-like beak, this magnificent fossil of the prehistoric needlefish Rhynchodercetis is one of the finest seen, rivaling specimens on exhibit in the most prestigious museums around the world. The preservation (the fossil is entirely original and authentic) is of a level seldom seen in science with a very heavily-mineralized skeleton in dark cinnabar red shown on a large slab with other fossils including a leaf, shrimp, crab and smaller fish. Alone, this fish is a true prize fossilized example of this species but the composition of the plate as a whole with the other fossils makes this a fantastic "scene" fossil showing some of the related fauna and flora of this extinct prehistoric environment. The turning pose imparts a lifelike action to the fossil, making it an extremely impressive wall display piece. The back has been reinforced and a drilled bar is mounted so that the fossil is ready for hanging on a wall.
One prominent feature of this specimen is the amazingly long rostrum of the fish. This example shows one that is VERY RARE because it is 100% complete and original, as is the entire fossil. On the rare event that this species is found, most often only a partial rostrum or poorly preserved body is seen. Other occurrences include much less rare finds of very small proportions to the fish unlike the whopping 26" length of this piece. The rostrum alone on this example, is an impressive 1/3 of the entire body length and is COMPLETE. The pose of this piece shows a beautiful spread of both pectoral fins, prominent eye orbits and every minute spine and bone along the entire body.
It is important to note that this fossil is 100% NATURAL AND ORIGINAL WITH NO PAINTING OR RESTORATION and all the other fossils on the slab are in the same "as found" un-restored original condition as well. This separates a quality specimen from "tourist" pieces that dominate the market because many of the shrimp and fish fossils of Lebanon are mostly paint. Fossils from Lebanon are notorious for their artificial painting in areas that were originally missing.
Size: 25" x 20" overall, fish is 26" long if straight (63-1/2 cm x 51 cm; 66 cm).
Provenance: ex-Paleo Direct Collection, Florida, USA
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#110551
- Condition: 100% original with repair to stone slab and reinforcement on reverse side. Metal hanger on back. No fabrication to fossil.
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| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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| $200,000 + | $25,000 |