Description:

Western Europe, Stuttgart, Germany, Holzmaden Black Shale Formation, Jurassic period, ca. 200 million years ago. A massive and exquisitely preserved stone slab that contains a pyritized ammonite fossil in the center and additional shells and imprints surrounding the main ammonite. The ammonite is naturally a golden color by the mineralization during the fossilization process which highlights the aesthetic spiral, a faintly ribbed exterior, and a pointed lip that extends from the chamber opening - a species in the Harpoceras genus. The slab has been chemically sealed to protect and permanently stabilize this rare feature. A metal wall keyhole hanger plate is set in the back for displaying the stone on a wall - this is a heavy piece so please check your walls are strong enough to support this gorgeous piece! Size of matrix: 20.3" L x 14.25" W (51.6 cm x 36.2 cm); ammonite: 8" Diameter (20.3 cm)

Specimens like this are now becoming quite rare as almost all large-scale quarrying operations in the formation have ceased. It is likely, Holzmaden fossils of exceptional quality and size like this lovely example will appreciate in the future as demand far outstrips supply. Holzmaden is a highly unique formation, famous for producing some of the world's finest Jurassic marine life fossils. Some of the largest dinosaurs that ever walked the earth were in existence when this ammonite swam in the ancient seas alongside massive plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs.

Provenance: private Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection

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#174787

  • Condition: Professionally prepared without any restoration. Matrix is intact without repairs. The ammonites and slab sealed with protective coating and a metal hanging plate is mounted flush on the verso for displaying.

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October 13, 2022 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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