Cleoniceras besairiei iridescent

Superb, unbroken slab filled with wonderful naturally occurring orthoceras fossils that was once part of the prehistoric ocean floor over 400 million years ago.

As these forms of prehistoric squid were covered in ocean sediments prior to fossilization, the majority of the creatures will be facing in the same relative position, having been lined up by currents on the sea floor prior to being buried.

The fossils are exposed and given a high polish to better view the creatures from their surrounding matrix. The slab features very high relief as well as dramatic texture and detail they had tentacles and ink sacs, much like present-day squid.

Except for belemnites, cephalopods had external shells with hollow internal chambers separated by walls called septa.

Devonian period, circa 410 million years, Anti-Atlas Mountains - Southern Morocco.

Cymatoceras sp.: This is a nautiloid belonging to the genus Cymatoceras, discovered in Ambatalafia, Mahajanga Province, Madagascar.

These nautiloids, much rarer than the commonly seen ammonites, belong to the extinct genus from the nautilitacean cephalopod family, Cymatoceratidae. They thrived from the Late Jurassic to Late Oligocene, approximately spanning from 155 to 23 million years ago. In this particular case, they date back to around +/- 90 million years ago. The shell of a Nautilus consists of two layers. The inner layer displays an iridescent shine, while the outer layer provides protection against external forces. Within the shell are septa, which partition the living area of the shell into compartments, aiding the animal in maintaining balance and position in the water column. Nautiloids like Cymatoceras are considered 'living fossils,' as similar species still exist in our oceans. 

Madagascar Copal Amber with leaves and insects

Amber is a substance derived from resins (Fossil Resin) of trees and plants that, buried for millions of years, underwent into a fossilization process.

These resins produced by plants acted as protection against the action of bacteria and against the attack of insects that punctured the bark until reaching the interior of the trees.

Over millions of years, amber-forming organic substances ended up forming a hardened, weather-resistant resin.

Fossil sea urchin - Pseudocidaris mammosa (AGASSIZ, 1840).

Excellent fossil of a sea urchin. The sea urchin and the spines finest details have been preserved and have been carefully arranged in position of life.

The radiolas preserve the original coloring patterns, worthy of a museum specimen!

Sea urchin with 10 cm spines, from Upper Jurassic, Kimmeridgian (152.1-157.3 million years) - France.

Displayed in a brass handmade stand. 

Orthoceras column fossil, a captivating relic hailing from a time more than 400 million years ago. These prehistoric squid-like beings, preserved through eons within oceanic sediments, offer an unparalleled glimpse into the past. Elegantly aligned by primordial currents on the ocean floor prior to their entombment, these creatures maintain their relative positions, frozen in the embrace of time.

Skillfully revealed through meticulous exposure and a masterful polish, the fossils come to life against their matrix backdrop. The artful interplay of light and shadow accentuates the delicate features of these long-extinct cephalopods. With their tentacles and ink sacs, reminiscent of their modern-day squid counterparts, these creatures possessed a mystique that transcends eras. Notably, these cephalopods boasted external shells, characterized by hollow internal chambers partitioned by intricate walls known as septa, a fascinating trait shared by their kin.

Originating from the Devonian period approximately 410 million years in the past, this fossil bears witness to the eons that have passed, finding its origin amidst the rugged landscapes of the Anti-Atlas Mountains in Southern Morocco.

Outstanding slab with three Gigantopecten restitutensis fossil from Vaucluse quarry in S.E. France.

Lower Miocene (Burdigalien) around 20 to 16 million years.

Very well prepared and clean.

Epimayaites transiens ( Ammonite ) Pair in acrylic base.

A beautiful pair of this elusive fossil specimen from the Madagascar Upper Jurassic ( +/- 170 million years ) very good aperture details.

A good collection starter.

Madagascar Copal Amber with leaves and insects, mounted in a handmade dark brass base.

Amber is a substance derived from resins (Fossil Resin) of trees and plants that, buried for millions of years, underwent into a fossilization process.

These resins produced by plants acted as protection against the action of bacteria and against the attack of insects that punctured the bark until reaching the interior of the trees.

Over millions of years, amber-forming organic substances ended up forming a hardened, weather-resistant resin.

Cleoniceras besairiei ammonite fossil. It hails from the Mesozoic era, specifically the Middle Cretaceous Albian period, dating back approximately 100 million years. What sets this specimen apart is not only its colossal size but also its stunning coloration and intricate suture lines. It is a complete, unaltered piece, making it an exceedingly rare find.

This treasure from the past was carefully excavated, meticulously cleaned, and expertly polished in Tulear, Madagascar, a region renowned for its remarkable paleontological discoveries.

Stunning ammonite with red opalization on the surface, in a white lacquered wood base.. Ammonites were predatory mollusks that resemble the squid we know today.

These cephalopods had eyes, tentacles, and spiral shells. Ammonites are closely related to a living octopus, though the shells resemble that of a nautilus.

Every stone is unique and one of a kind. These fossils come from the Mahajanga River Basin, near the village of Ambatolafia of northwest Madagascar, located in the former province of Mahajanga/Majunga. They are dated from the Early Cretaceous period, Albian age (100 to 113.0 million years ago).

Pleuroceras solare - Pyritised Lower Jurassic Ammonite from Germany, mounted in a black lacquered wood base.

A pyritised ammonite, which has been brass brushed to enhance the golden colour.

Hawskerense Subzone, Spinatum Zone, Middle Lias, Lower Jurassic, Butterheim, Germany Age:- 190 Million Years Old Ammonite. 

Coelacanth Devonian Fossil Nodule

This well-preserved specimen is a Lower Triassic (247 million years old) Coelacanth fossil from the Karoo Formation of Madagascar.

It is encapsulated within a concretion that has been meticulously split into perfect halves. While various types of fossilized fish are discovered in these nodules, Coelacanths are among the rarer specimens in the fauna. The specimen exhibits incredible detail, showcasing fins, scales, and the distinctive bony head structure.

This exceptional piece is elegantly presented in a natural marble vertical display.

Pleuroceras solare - Pyritised Lower Jurassic Ammonite from Germany, mounted in a black high gloss lacquered wood base.

A pyritised ammonite, which has been brass brushed to enhance the golden colour.

Hawskerense Subzone, Spinatum Zone, Middle Lias, Lower Jurassic, Butterheim, Germany Age:- 190 Million Years Old Ammonite. 

Perisphinctes sp. Ammonite from late Jurassic Period (160 million years), mounted in a exotic Tacula wood base. 

Beautiful natural composition, from Sakahara fields in Southwestern Madagascar. 

Araucaria trunk piece from the famous Ambilobe Petrified forest in Madagascar.

These are formations from the Triassic period with around 220 million years.

Mounted in an acrylic base is a beautiful historic piece!

Pleuroceras solare - Pyritised Lower Jurassic Ammonite from Germany, mounted in an iron base.

A pyritised ammonite, which has been brass brushed to enhance the golden colour.

Hawskerense Subzone, Spinatum Zone, Middle Lias, Lower Jurassic, Butterheim, Germany Age:- 190 Million Years Old Ammonite.