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MUSEUM EXHIBITION SPECIMEN
COMPLETE
GIANT WHITE ORTHACANTHUS PERMIAN SHARK ON MATRIX WITH 3D RELIEF AND
EXPOSED TEETH
Rheinland Pflaz, Germany
PERMIAN
PERIOD: 260 million years ago
SPECIAL NOTE: The current laws in
this state of Germany have forbid the collection of these remarkable
fossils since 1986. This legislation has permanently ended the supply of such
magnificent specimens such as this one being offered here. This
rare example was originally collected years prior to the ban but
remained unprepared until very recently when we acquired the specimen
from the original collector and performed all the preparations
ourselves. With digging in the
formation now off-limits, a specimen such as this is sure to appreciate
in value as an incredibly promising investment as well as leave
speechless everyone who has the pleasure to experience it in person.
Specimens like this are true international natural history treasures -
exceedingly rare in any collection of this quality of preservation as
well as execution of its preparation.
Recently completed in our preparation lab facility, we are pleased to
present this spectacular giant fossil Orthacanthus senckenbergianus shark
on matrix. This extremely rare large Permian shark fossil skeleton
represents a fortuitous opportunity
for the ultimate collector
looking for THE FINEST AND RAREST specimens
for their own private museum or to loan on public exhibition. This
is the kind of specimen that leaves you with a lasting impression when
viewed in person. Like every fossil we offer, it is available for
private viewing by appointment in our 4000 square foot gallery just
outside of Orlando, Florida.
In so
many ways, this is a very unique and rare example of this large,
primitive shark fossil. It is scientifically rare as much as it is
most impressively aesthetic. Some points to highlight are its rare
straight pose, large, open and gaping mouth and a full, dislocated array
of all original teeth showing three-dimensional preservation of the
unusual forked crowns that these sharks are known for. The
white color of the skeleton
is natural and has
NOT been painted. Every fin is present and in stunning, complete
preservation. This is a MALE shark and is identified by the VERY
RARE occurrence of BOTH left and right claspers seen on the ventral
region just anterior to the anal fins. On rare occasions, you may
see one side of the claspers present but on this specimen, both are
shown because the orientation of the belly in this region is slightly
turned for an underside view. These claspers were prepared out
with very high 3D relief as seen above in the photos.
For
museums wishing to showcase one of these extraordinarily rare fossil
sharks, this example offers highly educational features because it shows
anatomy seldom seen in these scarce fossils - complete teeth with roots
shown out of the jaw, all fins and bones present in high,
three-dimensional relief and detailed male anatomy.
As
stated, we performed the entire preparation to this specimen so we can
fully attest to all the work done. The nature of how these fossils
are prepared are most time and work intensive. Every little detail
must be ground out by hand, carefully removing all matrix covering the
white fossil skeleton. The color of the fossil is completely
natural. Many of these specimens are hastily prepared by simply
grinding a level layer off of the top of the fossil, often destroying
much of the original anatomy. Unlike such an expedient but
inferior method, we carefully removed the overlying matrix completely around the
three-dimensional anatomy of the entire fossil surface, exposing superb
multi-layered detail of the original exquisitely preserved skeleton and
skull. The surrounding matrix was treated with a stone sealer that
brings out a most incredible natural deep, dark forest-olive green.
This natural dark green color in the shale offers the most impressive
aesthetics to the natural white of the fossil shark skeleton.
The pose of this
fossil shark is exactly as it died over 260 million years ago.
What is rare is that this specimen is PERFECTLY laid out in a straight
pose with the finest spread of all its fins. In
many cases, fossils of these large sharks show poor articulation and
were fossilized in poses that are unattractive or twisted. The
menacing appearance of this specimen is extremely rare with large,
gaping jaws and full array of teeth in a dislodged pile in its open
mouth.
Overall restoration
to the skeleton amounts to less than 1% and was only performed to repair
cracks.
The rarity and presentation
of this magnificent piece is even more impressive in person!
Entire slab is reinforced with fiberglass and varies from 1" - 1.25" in
thickness, overall. The slab is secure and safe for a custom wall
mount application. A metal hanger has been mounted on the back and
hardware is included to safely hang this slab on any wall.
For
someone with an interest in the interior design applications of fossils,
it is most often that natural fossils on their original rock slabs are
almost always in shades of earth-tone colors which vary from gray to
beige. This specific fossil shark is very rare to have the rock
naturally show a green hue when darkened with the applied stone sealer.
If you browse the majority of fossils found and prepared on slabs, you
will likely never see this naturally-occurring color combination.
Because of this, the "white fossil on dark green" color scheme is rare
in of itself, and adds immense beauty and additional value to this
already extremely rare fossil. Many of these sharks are found on
rock that when darkened, varies from a medium to dark slate blue-gray.
Some are found with a black skeleton on brown or gray matrix.
Examples like this with the white skeleton on the dark matrix offer
better contrast for viewing and a more intriguing mystique to the
persona of the specimen.
From a period in time
before the dinosaurs even walked the earth, the bizarre Orthacanthus
thrived in prehistoric swamps and bayous in Europe and North
America. The Orthacanthus was an ancient freshwater shark that is
no longer in existence. It had a very long spine protruding from
the back of the head followed by a long ribbon-like dorsal fin that gave
it the appearance of an eel. The double forked teeth were another
unique characteristic. A full grown Orthacanthus is believed to
have grown to 10 feet in length and was THE most dangerous apex predator that terrorized
all creatures that lived in its environment.
GIANT
MUSEUM SPECIMEN OF EXQUISITE PREPARATION AND COMPLETENESS - SUPREME
INVESTMENT / EXHIBITION FOSSIL
FIRST
TIME WE HAVE SEEN A COMPLETE ARRAY OF DISLOCATED TEETH SHOWING COMPLETE
ROOTS AND CROWNS IN FULL 3D RELIEF
80.5"
long by 31.5" overall in matrix, shark is 63" long
$145000 F075
Actual
Item - One Only
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