Amazing & Rare Fossilized Hoplophoneus Saber Cat Skull

North America, South Dakota, Shannon County, White River Formation, Lower Brule, Eocene to Early Oligocene Period, ca. 30 to 23 million years ago. A superb, fossilized skull from the long-legged Hoplophoneus primaveus, a saber-tooth cat in the Nimravid family. This skull beautifully displays the large and once-razor sharp saber teeth. Please note that any fossilized Hoplophoneus with over 75% original material is quite exceptional, and this one is professionally prepared from 85% to 90% original material! Anyone who appreciates prehistoric fauna will certainly adore this amazing skull! This is the 'purr-fect' display piece, with the lower jaw open as if this creature is about to chomp down on some prey! This is a remarkable and rare specimen that is rarely seen on the market, other than when a few special pieces such as this come into private hands. Size: 7.5" L x 4.75" W (19 cm x 12.1 cm); 7.5" H (19 cm) on included custom stand; saber: 2.5" L (6.4 cm)

These animals were 2 feet tall (0.6 meters), the size of a large modern-day bobcat, and were more of a group predator with close-knit families as evidenced by some hoplos found together in death while overall very rare species hunting an abundant food supply of grazing ungulates including camels and oreodonts. Using their highly developed saber-teeth they would likely sever the blood supply in the neck of their prey in the initial attack. Hoplophoneus shared many physical characteristics with the famous Smilodon (saber-toothed tiger), namely, the large saber canines; but Hoplophoneus were an earlier much older species that preceded their feline ancestors by millions of years. We cannot stress enough just how awesome and rare this fossilized skull is. While smilodons are often regarded as the king of saber-tooth cats, Hoplophoneus preceded smilodons and paved the way for saber tooth evolution.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Rome, Georgia, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#167307
Condition Report: Professionally prepared and restored with 85% to 90% original material. Infill to gaps and fissures with new material. The upper is 90% original with the incisors restored and above the eye orbital. The lower is fine with all the original teeth, except smaller incisors are cast. One saber is real. The color shape and teeth quality are great! The molars and pre-molars are real and great. Lower jaw has a bar added to rest on the stand.