GERMANY

Details

A VERY LARGE FOSSIL CROCODILE
GERMANY
Steneosaurus bollensis from the Lower Jurassic, Toarcian (182-174 million years ago) Posidonienschiefer Formation Holzmaden, the complete specimen with three-dimmensional preservation, placed in heavy shale plaque for wall mounting
55½ x 119in. (141 x 302cm.)

Special notice

Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Lot Essay

Despite being not-too-distant relatives of the dinosaurs, the crocodilians survived the great extinction at the end of the Cretaceous (66 million year ago). Steneosaurs were a successful genus in the Jurassic, with at least twelve species found in sites across Europe and Morocco since 1825. A long snout with sharp teeth would suggest a diet predominantly of small fish. The preservation of armoured scutes to the body hint of a more combative lifestyle in the coastal waters of the Tethys Ocean 180 million years ago.

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