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UNTOUCHED AND COMPLETELY NATURAL CHAMBER DETAIL ON THE REVERSE SIDE PROVIDES POSITIVE PROOF THAT THIS IS TRULY A VERY RARE AND GENUINE, MASSIVE SPECIMEN AND NOT JUST ANOTHER ONE OF THE MANY LARGE CARVED FAKES THAT DOMINATE THE MARKET
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MASSIVE VERY RARE PERISPHINCTID AMMONITE - Agadir, Morocco MID CRETACEOUS PERIOD: 112 - 99.6 million years ago This is a rare species of the Perisphinctid species of Cretaceous ammonites from the coastal village of Agadir, Morocco. Rarely do ammonites occur this large at the site. Most large Moroccan ammonites of these proportions you will find in the market will be completely carved replicas. The proof of this wonderful specimen's authenticity is the clear evidence of untouched, natural chamber and structural body detail on the reverse side as seen above in the fifth and sixth images! This species is an uncommon type compared to the more prevalent Procheloniceras which is thicker and with a more robust chamber pattern. Viewed from the edge, it is much more laterally compressed and streamlined, most likely it was able to swim faster through the ocean since the drag of a thicker shell was reduced. Another characteristic that sets it apart from the usually encountered varieties is the individual ridges that make up each chamber are finer and more delicate. Same shell detail is also evident on the reverse testifying to its authenticity and rarer variety as indicated. Genuine massive specimens like this example are exceedingly rare and usually when they reach this size, they are very "blob-like" and lack nice form and symmetry. Specimens of this quality and size are very hard to find in genuine form as nearly all large rough Moroccan ammonites are carved fakes made from the same limestone as the genuine specimens are formed from. When in doubt, carefully examine the reverse side. The ridges of the chambers should be evident in faint form on the reverse at the boundary where the matrix removal was stopped. Faint chamber detail is clearly evident in the giant specimen seen in the photos above on the reverse. With the majority of very large specimens of this ammonite being nothing more than hand-carved replicas, it is imperative to know your source and see this kind of detail on the reverse side of what you purchase. In most cases, the fakes will also be substantially lower in cost as they can be purchased for much less than a genuine specimen goes for at the source. This superb grade ammonite is solid stone featuring the fascinating ridged surface ON BOTH SIDES of this ancient creature's shell. We highly recommend this magnificent giant fossil. It is an uncommon type regardless of size but as the largest of this type we have ever offered, it is very highly recommended for the advanced collector. The pictures with the hands indicate the real magnitude of this enormous specimen.
The animal that lived in this fossil shell looked something like a squid or an octopus, with tentacles for grasping its food and moving around the ocean floor. Some ammonite species have been found up to 6 feet across in size, while others never got bigger than a dime. With its three-dimensional form and texture, this ammonite specimen will bring any event to a halt when displayed. It is in a class all its own, not only desired by collectors, but treasured by interior designers and architects alike for incorporating into a stunning display. Natural color and wonderfully detailed. An exquisite specimen for such a rare size and an absolute "show-stopper"!
AT THIS POSTING, THIS IS THE LARGEST WE HAVE EVER HAD IN THIS RARER NARROW TYPE! HIGHLY RARE REVERSE SIDE STRUCTURAL AS WELL AS CHAMBER DETAIL PRESENT! 22.75" wide x 19" high SOLD AM-018 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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AMMONOIDS
evolved from nautiloids in the early Devonian period, about 400 million
years ago. They were abundant in world seas for the next 370 million
years. They suddenly vanished at the end of the Cretaceous period. These
extinct marine animals, which thrived in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic
Eras, some 400 to 65 million years ago, were cephalopods, and are thus
related to squid, octopus, cuttlefish, and the chambered nautilus.
Ammonites were able to swim, thanks to the unique construction of their
shell, which was divided into a series of air chambers. The air in the
chambers provided buoyancy for the animal to float; like modern
cephalopods, they probably moved through the water using jet propulsion.
Because ammonites lived exclusively in marine environments, their
presence also indicates the location of prehistoric seas.