AMPH011 - LARGE FINEST GRADE PERMIAN SCLEROCEPHALUS AMPHIBIAN ON MATRIX

Product Description

ITEM # 

AMPH011

ID

Sclerocephalus sp.

FOUND

Rhineland - Pfalz, Germany

AGE

PERMIAN:  280 million years ago

SIZE

25.25" x 11.2" overall on matrix slab, 
amphibian is 17" in length if straightened

CONDITION

100% ORIGINAL WITH MINOR REPAIR BUT 
NO FABRICATION OR COMPOSITING OF 
MULTIPLE AMPHIBIANS.  RARE PRESENCE OF
SOFT TISSUE PRESERVED.

NOTE

RARE!  EXCELLENT SIDE-VIEW PERSPECTIVE

Actual Item - One Only

Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet

SPECIAL NOTE:  The current laws in this region of Germany now forbid the collection of these remarkable fossils.  Such legislation has permanently ended the supply of such magnificent specimens such as this one being offered here.  This rare example comes from an old German private collection and was collected long ago before the ban was enacted.  With digging in the formation now off-limits, these rare German Permian fossils are sure to appreciate in value and become increasingly difficult to acquire.

Sclerocephalus haeuseri is a type of amphibian that once inhabited the Permian swamps of what is now Southwest Germany.  Fine grade fossils of Sclerocephalus haeuseri are  extremely rare and of great interest and demand to advanced collectors.  There are companies that offer reproductions of some amazing fossils, including casts of Sclerocephalus haeuseri.  Those cast companies look for original fossils of the highest quality to make reproductions of.  This 100% AUTHENTIC specimen exceeds in quality and preservation many of the original fossils we have seen reproductions have been made from!  If you know fossils from this creature, then you will already understand the fantastic opportunity that is presented here with this example.  Since the deposit has since been closed to collecting, locating an exceptional specimen on the market has become quite difficult.  In the rare instance one does become available for sale, they are usually partial body specimens or with fair to poor natural preservation.   

This is a rare SIDE ARTICULATION example of this species.  This spectacular LARGE example has not only extensive robust skeletal remains present but the soft body tissues is preserved in the rock.  The skull exhibits three dimensional relief off the slab with a pronounced jaw, bone plates and fantastic intact eye orbits.  Because of the side orientation of the body,  fine tooth detail is evident which is something you RARELY EVER see in amphibian fossils!!!  You can see rare instances of preserved bones in the body and limbs including finger digits.   NO ARTIFICIAL CARVING OF BONES has been performed.  Due to the highly fragile nature of these specimens once exposed, they require a consolidant to be applied to the fossil so the entire amphibian has been sealed in a preservant to prevent degradation and flaking.   The entire back of the slab has been reinforced with fiberglass and has a built-in hanger safely attached for displaying on a wall.   

This specimen is truly one that would easily match or even EXCEED what many museums might have in their collection.  The articulation and completeness of the amphibian is not often seen in this quality.  The preservation of soft body tissue from this species dates back to 280 million years ago which is quite impressive.