Asian & International Fine Arts Auction 2016-07-31
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/30/2016
IMPRESSIVE FOSSIL FISH COFFEE TABLE
Phareodus encaustus
Mioplosus labracoides Eocene
Green River Formation, Lincoln Co.
Wyoming
The abundant fossil beds of the Green River Formation represent a sub-tropical freshwater lake system teeming with life over 50 million years ago, and the locale is renowned for the exceptional quality and variety of its fossil fish. Here are two superb examples, a large and scarce 20-inch long Phareodus, a member of the Osteoglossidae ("bony tongue") family, whose relatives still inhabit today's subtropical oceans; and an attractive little Mioplosus, an ancient perch, 11 inches long. Both fossils display superb preservation, definition, and three-dimensionality, even by the high standards of Green River, particularly to the heavy skull bones of the predaceous Phareodus, with numerous sharp little teeth perfectly visible, a robust set of vertebrae, several with the process standing proud of the matrix. There are even what appear to be an unusual amount of scale impressions. The Mioplosus is less complete, but no less fine in its detail, and both sit within an attractively mottled gray limestone matrix, mounted under glass in a black walnut-clad coffee table. In addition, between the fossil plaque and the glass, the inside edge is lined with innumerable tiny LEDS which can be controlled by a dimmer switch underneath to make for a unique and highly impressive furnishing piece; 43 1/8" x 38 6/8" and 21" high
$3,500 - 4,500\n