Natural History - Malachite Slice Group [3]

A large section of Charonosaurus sp. hadrosaur egg nest on matrix, including three eggs each retaining some of the original shell surface. 17.3 kg, 43 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Dinosaur eggs are known from about 200 sites around the world, the majority in Asia and mostly in terrestrial (non-marine) rocks of the Cretaceous Period. It may be that thick calcite eggshells evolved during the Cretaceous (145 to 65 million years ago). Most dinosaur eggs have one of two forms of eggshell that are distinct from the shells of related modern animal groups, such as turtles or birds; however, some eggs closely resemble the type of shells seen in present day ostrich eggs.

Or optical calcite, cut into parallelepiped sections, each displaying typical birefringence. 1 kg total, 36-44 mm



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

The exposed internal cavities filled with small crystals; in enhanced purple colour. 735 grams total, 8.3-11 cm



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