From the Eocene (circa 50 million years ago), an 18 1/2-inch specimen of Diplomystus sp. showing strong definition to the body and fins, preserved in the act of consuming another fish, possibly a Knightia sp., its tail protruding several inches out of the larger fish's mouth, both specimens prepped in rectangular-cut matrix, mounted on board with hanging mounts for ease of display.
22 x 30 x 2¹⁄₂in. (56 x 76 x 6.5cm.)

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.
Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.

Conditions of Sale
FAQs
This lot is offered by Christie Manson & Woods Ltd

Brought to you by

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

In the present Lot, one larger fish has struggled to eat its meal whole and fallen to the sea floor where both have been preserved in this death pose - a rare and important example of ichthyological behaviour being preserved in the fossil record. While individual bones occasionally survive in the bellies of fossilized creatures, it is rarer still to see one fossil eating another. The present specimen captures this extraordinary natural event; highlighting the impressive size Diplomystus could grow to, and serving as proof of the species' aggressive propensity to hunt and consume its own kind.

The diminuitive size of its prey could perhaps identify it as a Knightia sp., but one cannot rule out the possibility that the Diplomystus has been frozen in a cannibalistic feeding frenzy. Conversely, this scene is a moment of Pyrrhic victory for the smaller specimen.