Lot 72
Lot 72
A FOSSIL ICHTHYOSAUR

FRANCE

Price Realised GBP 23,940
Estimate
GBP 10,000 - GBP 15,000
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A FOSSIL ICHTHYOSAUR

FRANCE

Price Realised GBP 23,940
Price Realised GBP 23,940
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  • Lot Essay
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Details
From the lower Jurassic (circa 200-176 million years ago), the near-complete specimen of Stenopterygius triscissus in an excellent state of preservation, prepped in shale matrix
22 x 72 x 112in. (56.5 x 183 x 3.5cm.)
Special notice
This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.
This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
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Brought to you by
James HyslopHead of Department, Science & Natural History
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

Lot Essay

The first complete Ichthyosaur skeleton was found by Mary Anning at Lyme Regis in 1811 (an Ichthyosaurus communis). The order Ichthyosauria was introduced in 1840 by Sir Richard Owen, and today about 80 species are recognised. They take their name from the Greek for "fish lizards" and are an excellent example of convergent evolution. It is thought that they evolved from land based lizards moving into the sea, eventually converging on the shape of the fish upon which they preyed.
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Sculpted by Nature: Fossils, Minerals and Meteorites