Massive Cretaceous Cleoniceras Ammonite A Striking...

Monumental collection specimen: 47 cm — This lot presents a monumental fossil ammonite from the genus Cleoniceras, coming from the famous Cretaceous deposits of Madagascar. With a maximum diameter of 47 cm and a weight of over 17 kg, this piece is not merely a fossil, but a true natural sculpture, a witness to a world submerged 110 million years ago. The surface has been expertly cut and mirror-polished to reveal the extraordinary internal anatomy, transforming a scientific artifact into an object of rare aesthetic beauty. Direct observation allows us to appreciate the perfect logarithmic spiral of the shell, a masterpiece of biological engineering. The polishing has highlighted a breathtaking color palette: the internal chambers, once empty and used by the animal to regulate buoyancy, have filled over millennia with mineral deposits. Calcite and aragonite have crystallized in warm orange, ochre, and brown tones, creating a vibrant contrast with the gray and beige of the surrounding rock matrix, forming a natural mosaic of striking visual impact. From a scientific standpoint, the specimen is of notable interest. The sutural lines, which mark the contact between the walls of the chambers (septa) and the outer shell wall, are exceptionally well preserved and visible. Their complex pattern, reminiscent of lace or ferns, is a diagnostic feature of the genus Cleoniceras and testifies to the degree of evolution of these cephalopods. This fossil offers a direct window into the mineralization and permineralization processes that have allowed its preservation to the present day. Originating from the Aptian, a stage of the Cretaceous, this fossil is the result of a long process that began with the death of the animal and its burial on the seabed. The craftsmanship of Madagascar artisans, renowned for working with these specimens, is evident in the quality of the section and polishing, an intervention that does not alter the nature of the fossil but reveals its hidden beauty, making it accessible to the human eye. Every crack and color variation tells a part of its long geological history. For its impressive size and aesthetic quality, this piece transcends mere collecting interest to become an element of absolute prestige in interior decor. It is an object that harmonizes with any type of interior, from classic to contemporary, ideal for a library, a study, or as a focal point in a modern Wunderkammer. Owning an ammonite of this size means safeguarding a tangible fragment of the profound history of our planet, a work of art carved by time itself.

Estimate:£2,797.12

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