Large Fossilized North American Oreodont Skull

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VARIETY SALE | Ancient, Asian, Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Feb 3, 2022

Set Reminder 2022-02-03 10:00:00 2022-02-03 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : VARIETY SALE | Ancient, Asian, Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/variety-sale-ancient-asian-ethnographic-8833
Join us for our first sale of February with a spotlight on two fabulous collections, one from Lumberton, Texas, and the other from Whisnant Gallery in New Orleans. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  North America, Western United States, likely Wyoming, White River Formation, late Eocene to early Miocene period, ca. 46 to 16 million years ago. A fossilized skull from an oreodont (Merycoidodon), a prehistoric mammal that roamed across North America. This skull is beautifully preserved with white plaster on the interior cavities and a large stone matrix that acts as a support base. The visible orbit (ocular cavity) is mostly intact as is the zygomatic arch. The upper and lower jaws are slightly parted to reveal the rows of teeth, from which the oreodont name is derived. The molar teeth are an interesting high crown shape - pointy and triangular, and their name translates to "mountain tooth." The front canines are sharp like a predator; however, these mammals were herbivores and had traits that often were described as sheep, rhino, or pig like- although they may be more closely related to camelids. There are many different species that fall under the oreodont family, and this skull comes from a larger member of this extinct mammal. Size: 14" L x 8" W x 10" H (35.6 cm x 20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)
  
  Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010
  
  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.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #169314

  Condition

  Professionally prepared and restored with visible break lines, fissures, and infill. Approximately 70% original material. Half of lower mandible is new material and care has been taken to preserve original structure but may deviate slightly from actual shape. Chips throughout and losses to temporal area and vomer (nasal bone). Some teeth are reattached, including the upper canines. Half of skull is embedded in a stone matrix as shown, which creates a natural base.
• Shipping Info

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