Giant Fossil Fish Wall Plaque

This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armoured plates, has been exquisitely preserved and recovered from the Holzmaden Oil Shale of south Germany. The crocodile was once buried in fine, muddy sediment 195 million years ago at the bottom of the Tethys Ocean, which once existed between Europe and Africa. The calm, deep water provided a rare anoxic (without oxygen) environment, which prevented the skeleton from any significant decomposition before burial. The mud has since been compressed into oil shale, leaving the immense skeleton completely in-tact. This specimen is one of the few skeletons of Steneosaurus bollensis ever to be discovered. We can deduce much about the life of this reptile from the size and perfect preservation of the piece. Similar to present-day crocodiles, we can see that the two front limbs of the Steneosaurus are much shorter than the back two. This indicates that crocodile ancestors were bipedal; indeed, we believe that crocodiles evolved from the same reptile species as the dinosaurs and airborne pterosaurs. Dinosaurs ruled the lands during the late Triassic and early Jurassic. This made terrestrial life increasingly difficult for ancestral crocodiles, as there were many predators and prey was scarce. However, the seas were rich in fish, shellfish, starfish, crabs, squid… You can even see fossil belemnite guards (bullet shells of squid-like organisms) and the beautiful spiral shells of ammonites preserved around the crocodile skeleton...

Apophyllite crystals of this scale are rarely seen. This piece has been beautifully mounted onto a mirrored steel base making it the perfect statement for any interior. Since 1986 D...

Oversize and spectacular 19th century Black Forest carved wood trophy wall plaque with a large fish. Beautiful carved border with acanthus leaves. Measur...

This fossil fish mural features a large Diplomystus dentatus, three Knightia eocaena, and two Cockerellites liops in natural, fossil-bearing limestone. This stone’s soft, warm colors are a perfect contrast for the deep color of the fossils. The 50-million-year-old fossils are from the Early Eocene and were discovered in our private quarry in southwestern Wyoming, part of the Green River Formation. This mural is part of a limited series in which we are exploring the use of Kinstugi to highlight various features within our fossil stone. The ancient art of Kinstugi originates from 15th century Japan...