Ancient Seas, Morocco, Paleozoic period, ca. 542 to 252.2 million years ago; North America, likely Wyoming, Miocene period, ca. 23 million years ago. A collection of 2 fossils from prehistoric marine creatures and 2 pieces of petrified wood. The first is a slab with Orthoceras shells and fragments, highly polished to contrast from the surrounding stone. The second is a matrix containing two teeth from Otodus obliquus, a prehistoric shark; note the smaller enamel protrusions flanking the bases of the main teeth! One petrified wood slab is a rectangular segment with a cut and polished face to reveal the inner layers of jet black and honey brown. The other petrified piece is a large disc, showing the interior rings, representing the lifespan of the tree. The organic material has fossilized and developed stunning hues of umber and red. Size of petrified disc: 9" Diameter x 0.75" W (22.9 cm x 1.9 cm); shark tooth matrix: 6" L x 4" W (15.2 cm x 10.2 cm)
Provenance: private S. H. collection, San Francisco, California, USA; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010
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#166542
Condition
Stable cracks and fissures on all from fossilization process. Loss to outer periphery and face of petrified wood disc, and one side is highly polished. Active flaking to shark tooth matrix. One tooth is part of the matrix, and the other is posed with adhesive. Both are intact and excellent. All are professionally prepared and great specimens. Orthoceras is excellent. Matrix is rough and shell are highly polished.