Three Panel Multi-Fish Display
Early Eocene (approx. 52-48 million years ago), Green River Formation, Lincoln County, Wyoming, USA
No reserve
Auction Closed
July 14, 07:13 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Three Panel Multi-Fish Display
Notogoneus osculus, Diplomystus dentatus, Cockerellites liops, and Knightia eocaena
Early Eocene (approx. 52-48 million years ago)
Green River Formation, Lincoln County, Wyoming, USA
Left and right panels measure 60 x 24 x 3¼ inches (152.4 x 61 x 8.3 cm), central panel measures 60 x 26 x 3¼ inches (152.4 x 66 x 8.3 cm), together 60 x 74 x 3¼ inches (152.4 x 188 x 8.3 cm). Total weight of all three panels is 464 pounds (210.5 kg).
Three separate fossil fish mosaic murals assembled on large natural slabs of tan, orange, and gray Green River limestone matrix. Largest fish (Notogoneus osculus) is an uncommon species in Fossil Lake and measures 23½ inches (59.7 cm) in length. Each mural is backed in wood with finished beveled edges for wall hanging.
The murals contain16 well preserved and complete skeletons belonging to 4 species of extinct freshwater fish all in very good condition attractively displayed.
50 million years ago, the Green River Formation comprised an area of more than 25,000 square miles (65,000 sq. km) of interconnected subtropical lakes spread across the current states of Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. Today, the region of the Green River Formation known as "Fossil Lake" boasts some of the most abundant and well-preserved freshwater fossils anywhere in the world.
Highlights of this three-panel fossil triptych include Notogoneus osculus, an uncommon fossil and one of the only bottom feeders from the Green River Formation; a few well-preserved examples of the large surface feeder Diplomystus dentatus, characterized by its distinctive upturned mouth and V-shaped tail; the temperate bass Cockerellites liops; and Knightia eocaena, an extinct relative of the herring upon which Diplomystus would have predated.