Massive Cretaceous Phylloceras Ammonite Showing Rich...

Fossil Sectioned with Visible Sutures — A monumental fossil ammonite specimen, belonging to the genus Phylloceras, from the famous Lower Cretaceous deposits of Madagascar. This piece stands out for its imposing size, with a maximum diameter of 73 cm and a weight of 55 kg, placing it among the larger specimens available on the collectible market. The ammonite has been skillfully sectioned and polished to expose its complex internal anatomy, transforming a paleontological find into a natural sculpture of exceptional visual impact. Direct observation of the specimen reveals a smooth surface that catches the light, highlighting a rich, earthy color palette. Tones of ocher, deep amber, and ferric red alternate with lighter veins of crystalline calcite, creating a color mosaic that tells the story of its mineralization. The center of the spiral is perfectly preserved, showing the logarithmic winding of the early chambers (the phragmocone), while the outer part of the fossil explodes with intricate structures, where sutural lines emerge with remarkable three-dimensionality. The most scientifically relevant and visually fascinating feature are the sutural lines. In this Phylloceras specimen, they appear as a labyrinth of tree-like and complex designs, testimony to the advanced biological architecture of these ancient cephalopods. Sutures represent the boundary between the inner walls (septa) that separated the shell chambers and the outer shell. Their complexity is tied to the need to withstand the high pressures of deep-sea environments. The fossilization process through mineralization replaced the original aragonite of the shell with calcite, faithfully preserving these anatomical details for over 100 million years. The extraordinary beauty of this piece is also the result of meticulous preparation work. The cross section is not a random event but a targeted choice to unveil the hidden world inside the shell. The polishing, carried out to a high standard, not only protects the surface but enhances depth, color contrasts, and crystalline details, allowing appreciation of every single chamber and sutures. Particularly noteworthy is the outer edge, where the preparation has left the septa prominently raised, creating a natural crenellation that adds further dynamism and sculptural value to the object. A fossil of this size and quality is more than a simple collectible; it is a display piece worthy of a natural history museum or an art gallery. Its monumental presence makes it a central element for high-end interior design, perfect for a study, a library, or a spacious contemporary space. As a Wunderkammer object or a “Cabinet of Curiosities,” it represents a magnificent dialogue between science, art, and Earth history, a tangible fragment of a submerged and vanished world from one of the planet’s most important fossil sites. Technical details Name: Fossil ammonite, Phylloceras sp. Classification: Cephalopoda, Ammonoidea Provenance: Madagascar Geological period: Lower Cretaceous (about 120 million years ago) Dimensions: 730 x 630 x 140 mm Weight: 55,000 g Material: Fossil shell mineralized in Calcite Conditions: Specimen sectioned and polished to expose the internal structure.

Estimation:€8,800

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