Lot 111B
North America, Wyoming, Green River Formation, Eocene Period, ca. 53.5 to 48.5 million years ago. A beautifully composed stone matrix showcasing a dynamic prehistoric aquatic scene of palm fronds and 2 inlaid fish. This fossil panel features two distinct fish species: a larger Cockerellites (formerly / also known as Priscacara) above, and a smaller Knightia nestled below, both slightly recessed into the matrix. The palm frond, although a terrestrial species, lends the scene an elegant, naturalistic quality evocative of a primeval freshwater habitat. Size of matrix: 18.5" L x 1.3" W x 19.5" H (47 cm x 3.3 cm x 49.5 cm); larger fish: 5.5" L x 2.5" W (14 cm x 6.4 cm)
The sediment from the Green River Formation was deposited over a 5-million-year span, the layers of flora and fauna may not have fossilized at the same time - but make for interesting composites. The Eocene world was the warmest of the Cenozoic (our current era), with an average mean temperature around 86 F (30 C) (for comparison, the average mean temperature in the last seventy years is around 58 F (14 C). Although the map of the Earth's surface would have been very recognizable to us today, with most of the continents in place and India moving close to its current position, there were basically no ice caps and huge swaths of the landscape were covered with water, including vast inland seas. This impressive aquarium like arrangement creates a rare scene from a prehistoric environment that was drastically different than what the semi-arid Wyoming landscape of today!
Provenance: private Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection
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#196172
- Condition: Professionally prepared, fish are inlaid into the surface. Mounted on a wooden board backing. Great preservation to fish and palm. Comes with metal hardware for mounting on a wall.
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| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
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