Lot 117A
Ancient Seas, Middle Miocene to end of Pliocene eras, ca. 28 to 1.5 million years ago. A special fossilized tooth from a prehistoric megalodon shark! This tooth has beautiful lighter colorations with a matte root boasting hues of cream and butterscotch and a triangular bourlette in tones of gray and almond. The enamel is a gleaming warm beige mottled with colors of peach and champagne, as well as natural striations from the fossilization process. The enamel is naturally reflective due to the fossilization process and still retains much of the serrated edges from the root to tip. Megalodons were among the largest predators the ocean ever saw, but their teeth are the only parts that have survived since their cartilage bodies could not fossilize. Interestingly, medieval people believed that these strange teeth were moon rocks or dragon's tongues! Size: 4.39" W x 5.56" H (11.2 cm x 14.1 cm)
Megalodon (Carcharodon megalodon, literally "big tooth"), thought to have become extinct 1.6 million years ago, is the largest known member of the shark family. Prior to 1666, when naturalist Nicolaus Steno studied shark teeth and realized the error, people believed that these teeth were moon rocks or dragon's tongues. Megalodon teeth are all that remain of these ancient creatures, whose skeletal structures - like those of all sharks - were made of cartilage and did not fossilize. Interestingly, a megalodon's age at death can be determined by the growth rings radiating from the centra of the tooth.
Provenance: private Waleska, Georgia, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#181708
- Condition: Some nicks and small chips to root and bourlette, as well as natural fissures and striations from fossilization process. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive preservation of serrated edge and lustrous, unpolished surfaces.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |