Lot 736
Virtually Complete Two Foot Long Crinoid. Crinoids are known as "sea lilies" even though they are not plants but rather animals related to star fish in having five fold symmetry. This immense 23x11 inch dark gray stone slab contains two crinoids of the genus Traumatocrinus which lived in the ocean 200 million years ago in Guanling, Guizhou, China What makes those specimens so unusual is that it is nearly complete with a full, nearly two foot long stem. Crinoids stems are built of small calcite blocks that can bend in the water but also easily become disarticulate when the crinoid dies. This lovely specimen is the exception with the crinoid head called a calyx being 3.5x3 inches and still connected to a 22 inch long stem, missing only the roots to be complete. The second crinoid has a 2.5x 2.5 inch calyx and several disarticulated stems on the slab. Crinoids attached themselves to the sea bottom and filter fed on small organisms that would become trapped in the featherly pinnules that are clearly visible between the five outstretched arms on this magnificent specimen. This museum quality specimen is desirable both for esthetics and completeness.
Add $75 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $850 - 1,400.
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| Realized $661 |
