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RARE FINE GRADE PHOLIDOPHORUS FISH FOSSIL ON LIMESTONE SLAB FROM SOLNHOFEN Solnhofen Plattenkalk Formation - Eichstatt, Germany JURASSIC PERIOD: 160 million years ago 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. This is a very uncommon and fine grade specimen of the extinct fish Pholidophorus. Pholidophorus is known for its thick enameloid skull bones and primitive ganoid scales (rhomboid, interlocking peg-and-socket scales of ancient origin). These unique features are perfectly preserved and displayed in this specimen. The specimen's exceptional detail can be attributed to the meticulous MANUAL HAND PREPARATION in the manner that museum fossils were prepared a hundred years ago. This is a rare fish from the Solnhofen formation and is seldom found on the market and if so, rarely in this quality of preservation and complete without restoration. This superb example is both rare for an advanced collector but is also a highly aesthetic piece. The color of the fossil is natural and contrasts well with the ivory white hue of the limestone matrix. A perfect specimen for displaying the emergence and lineage of primitive fish that have no living counterparts today. NO RESTORATION OR FABRICATION. Pholidophorus is a member of the group Pholidophorids (meaning 'scale bearer'). These fish have unique and primitive features that separate them from modern bony fish. These features include a skull made up of thick enameloid bones and ganoid scales which are rhomboid in shape and have a peg and a socket that interlock and articulate with each other like body armor. The upper jaw could move as in modern teleosts. Also like teleosts (bony fishes), Pholidophorids had a spinal column made up of hollow bony vertebrae with spines and ribs attached. They were swift predatory fish that were capable of fast attacks and maneuvers. WARNING: We have noticed an increasing occurrence of heavily restored and painted examples in the marketplace of various types of German lithographic limestone fossils. Similar to the plethora of fossil fish from Lebanon, the fins, teeth and other detail are painted on with the finest of skill but this is done over a sculpted surface to give the impression of a genuine feature. If the price seems too good to be true, then that should be the first and most obvious 'red flag'. The highest grade GENUINE fossils are rare and have high worldwide intrinsic value. There are no 'bargains' other than paying for the quality you wish to possess. While fossils from this region can exhibit the finest possible preservation of any site in the world, they are extremely rare and occur with less frequency compared to most other fossil-bearing formations. Some of the largest dinosaurs that ever walked the earth were in existence when Pholidophorus swam in the ancient seas alongside massive plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs! This RARE prehistoric fish fossil comes with our HIGHEST recommendation. Whether displayed in an advanced private or a large public museum collection, this specimen will undoubtedly be an important and highly regarded example. SUPERB DISPLAY SPECIMEN OF A SCARCE TYPE OF JURASSIC PREDATORY FISH - RARE SPECIES AND GRADE! 21" x 10.5" high overall with fish 12" long $2250 F036 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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