Fossil Shrimp in Matrix Group

An acorn-shaped vessel with fluted body and lid, narrow flat base and onion-knop finial to the lid. 404 grams, 13 cm high



From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s.

A very large Entada gigas or sea bean pod, containing nine separate sea bean segments; rare. 419 grams, 79 cm

Fine condition. Rare.

From Madagascar. Ex private Shropshire, UK collection.

Entada gigas, the ‘sea bean’ or ‘monkey ladder vine’ is a flowering liana in the Fabaceae pea family. The plant has the longest seed pods in the family, as well as the largest seeds, which can float for miles along sea currents, being washed up on beaches around the world. The seed pod segments snap off, dropping into the river below. The pod segment will quickly rot, revealing the seed or ‘sea bean’ inside. The seed contains a sealed pocket of air, which enables it to float. It can survive for up to two years at sea, and actually requires prolonged exposure to water in order to germinate. Some of these seeds will find their way into the major sea currents, such as the Gulf Stream, and end up washed up on coasts around the world.

Comprising six cut geode halves with polished cut face, four with a large internal cavity filled with quartz ad calcite crystals; two with an interesting double cavity. 1.06 kg total, 5.3-11.6 cm



From Brazil. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.