Natural History - Mastodon Bone Face Carving

Three wind-rounded pebbles each in a hollowed out 'nest'; with a hessian draw-ribbon pouch. 328 grams total, 54-58 mm



From the Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).

A rare complete example of Paratriakis curtirostris within micritic matrix, displaying the spine, fins and tail with visible fin supports; the head with a number of teeth in situ; mounted in a custom-made wooden frame with a textured insert. 40.1 kg total, shark: 81 cm (68 x 127.5 cm)



Found Haqel, Lebanon. Ex Fine Fossils, UK. From the private collection of Mr J.G., a company executive. Studied by the University of Manchester, UK. Accompanied by an original signed handwritten note from Sir David Attenborough, 7 November 2022, which reads 'Dear J[ ] G[ ], You are indeed lucky to have such a spectacular fossil. Best wishes, David Attenborough'. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Fine Fossils with certificate no.COLL011. Accompanied by a detailed geological report by Paul Goodrich. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12091-214455.

Paratriakis curtirostris was a resident in the shallows of the Tethys Ocean, which separated Africa, Europe, Indo-Australia and Asia. The genus is now extinct, but has a relative in the modern-day dogfish Triakis.

Polished oval-shaped specimen with insect inclusion. 031 grams, 14.87 mm



From a North American collection. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.