HARPOCERAS AMMONITES AND MUSSELS ON MASSIVE SHALE SLAB

 Schandelah (Braunschweig), Germany

EARLY JURASSIC PERIOD (LIAS):  206 - 180 million years ago

This massive shale slab gives us a rare glimpse into marine life from the Early Jurassic seas that once covered what is now north-central Germany.  These beautiful ancient marine invertebrates thrived amongst large plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs whose remains are found in the same region!  Shown are two fine Harpoceras species ammonites with a partial print of a third.  The dominant fossil on this beautiful rock is a large and exquisite Harpoceras as seen above.  In association on the same slab are mussels of the species Inoceramus labiatus.  The entire rock is intact with no repair and no restoration.  We have prepared and stabilized the specimen in our lab to ensure lasting protection of the natural delicate detail that abounds.  Worth noting is the beautiful coloration to the slab.  The light gray-green rock is accented with a weathered area of warm gold rock with the same warm gold tones running down both main edges of the slab.  The overall effect is visually stunning when displayed as shown above!  HIGHLY recommended!

This rare specimen was mined from a region that is now a protected WWII era historic site.  All collecting from this area is now forbidden and has been for decades.  Images of the site are shown below.  From a very old private collection and excavated prior to the site being sealed off, this fossil represents one of the finest examples of marine life from the Lias formation of Europe!

OLD PRIVATE COLLECTION SPECIMEN OF THE FINEST GRADE FROM A NOW CLOSED SITE!

15" high x 18" wide, respectively with largest ammonite 3.9" in width

SOLD     AM23-001     INCLUDES STAND     Actual Item - One Only

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