Lot 2B
North America, Southeastern United States, Florida, Pliocene to Pleistocene, Ice Age, ca. 100,000 to 11,000 years old. A massive, fossilized tusk fragment from a mastodon (Mammut americanum) that displays stunning crystalline formations inside the cavity. The exterior layers of the cementum are a yellow white, and the cut cross-section allows us to see the interior dentine that has developed a lovely lilac, smokey gray, and black crystalline hue due to mineral and chemicals in the environment as the ivory fossilized. Also visible is a central hollow space which suggests perhaps this is the pulp cavity near the base of the tusk that once contained the connective tissue. Mastodons had a similar appearance to their distant cousins, modern-day elephants, with a more muscular build and possibly short fur. Some of the largest mastodons grew up to 10.7 feet tall at the shoulders and weighed about 8.6 US tons - this tusk, even just a fragmentary piece, is very hefty and would take a sizable animal to carry a pair of these! Size: 16.75" L x 6.4" Diameter (42.5 cm x 16.3 cm)
Provenance: ex-private Wildwood, Missouri, USA collection
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#170125
- Condition: Fragment of a larger tusk as shown. Repaired from approximately 4 large pieces with visible fissures and break lines infilled with new material. Both ends are stabilized with adhesive coatings to prevent flaking and exterior surface is covered in a clear fixative. Large size with great interior coloration.
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