F084 - AESTHETIC AND COLORFUL ASPIDORHYNCHUS JURASSIC FOSSIL FISH FROM SOLNHOFEN GERMANY

Product Description

ITEM # 

F084

ID

Aspidorhynchus acutirostris

FOUND

Solnhofen Plattenkalk - Eichstatt, Germany

AGE

JURASSIC:  160 million years ago

SIZE

20.8" x 14.25" overall, fish 21" long

CONDITION

PLATE FRACTURE, CRACKS FILLED.
NO FABRICATION OF MISSING BODY PARTS
REINFORCED ON BACK WITH METAL HANGERS

NOTE

HIGHLY AESTHETICNATURAL SPECIMEN

INCLUDES STAND - Actual Item - One Only

Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet

This is a high quality, complete fossil of the Jurassic fish Aspidorhynchus acutirostris.   Specimens like this are very scarce in today's market and most often, when one becomes available, it is from an old collection.  This is one of those instances.  This rare fish fossil possesses several unique features for its type.  First, it is on an unusually large original limestone plate in which it was found.  On the surface of the rock can be found numerous original calcified floating crinoid fossils to compliment the fish.  The slab has been attractively cut to a rectangular form and is reinforced on the back with metal hangers so it can be displayed on a wall immediately.  The fish is 21" long if straightened and is 100% complete and fully preserved with minute bone and fin detail.  Fractures in the plate incurred from the extraction process at the quarry have been repaired and do not detract.  From the complete needle-sharp rostral spine to the tip of the wonderfully detailed tail fins, this Aspidorhynchus is present and fully exposed in a arched articulation.  Even individual scales can be seen and are well preserved.  Unlike many fish fossils where the fossil is actually the negative impression with artistic improvement, this is the positive impression fossil containing the full skeleton of the actual prehistoric fish.   100% COMPLETE possessing the superb preservation.  Every unique feature of the anatomy of this species can be seen.  Most noteworthy and exceptional is the complete array of bizarre rectangular enameloid plate scales that this species possessed plainly visible running down the body!  

It is important to first emphasize that ALL the detail you see across this entire fish IS GENUINE unlike the many different types and world sources of fish fossils where much of the "fossil" is painted on the rock by skilled artisans. 

Famous for producing an astonishing diversity of rare and most intricately preserved fossils found anywhere in the world, the Jurassic lithographic limestone deposits of southern Germany are legendary.  Quarries in the region are privately held and mostly worked by hand on a small scale.  The finest grade fossils are few and far between and much rock must be split to locate them.  The best fossils are most often kept by the quarry owners who themselves, are often collectors.  Some quarries are operated on a large scale but these are now dug with machinery instead of manual labor.  Because of this the rock is damaged and along with it, the rare fossils.  What all this means today is that even fewer fine grade Solnhofen fossils are found and when they are, rarely do the best pieces make it to market.  Occasionally, an old private collection surfaces and specimens are sold or traded.  This is where the rare opportunity comes along to acquire a specimen on a level that truly is a prize find.  Typically, the older material is often the best as it was collected when the deposits were first being worked and quality was in greater abundance.

SPECIAL NOTE:   We have noticed an increasing occurrence of undisclosed work in heavily restored and modified examples in the marketplace and auctions of many Solnhofen fossils.  It is becoming commonplace to take a smooth slab of Solnhofen quarry limestone and assemble, carve and/or paint parts or entire creatures where no fossil existed.  Restoration is OK if it is disclosed but much of this work is not disclosed, either out of deception or ignorance of the dealer.  When purchasing fossils, it is important to only deal with extremely knowledgeable sellers who have experience in fossil preparation as well as restoration and repair so they are capable of identifying what work has been performed to the fossils they offer and disclose this work to their customers.  Sadly, a great deal of bad material is being sold as good to unsuspecting buyers.  The staff at Paleo Direct operates several paleontological preparation labs and is experienced in the full realm of fossil preparation, repair and restoration.