From the lower Jurassic (circa 200-176 million years ago), the near-complete 63 1/2-inch specimen of Stenopterygius triscissus in an excellent state of preservation, notably to the skull and spine, prepped in shale matrix and outlined to highlight the specimen's striking silhouette.
76 x 34¹⁄₄ x 1¹⁄₄in. (193 x 87 x 3cm.)

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.
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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.