Fossilized Green River Diplomystus & Two Knightia Fish Matrices
North America, United States, Wyoming, Green River Formation, Eocene, ca. 48.5–53.5 million years old. A group of three fossil fish preserved in pale buff lacustrine limestone from the Green River Formation. The largest piece, an oval slab, holds a Diplomystus with its deep body, upturned mouth, and forked tail picked out in warm brown bone, the vertebral column and fine ribs clearly articulated. Two small matrix pieces each carry a compact Knightia, the herring relative so abundant in these ancient lake beds that it became Wyoming's state fossil. Fin rays and skull elements remain legible on all three. Together they show a predator alongside the little fish it is known to have eaten. Size of largest: 4.25" L x 2.5" W x 0.8" D (10.8 cm L x 6.4 cm W x 2.0 cm D); Size of smallest: 1.75" L x 1" W x 0.25" D (4.4 cm L x 2.5 cm W x 0.6 cm D).
Provenance: private Mead, Colorado, USA collection acquired via auction house, Quincy, Illinois, USA, in August 2026; collected from Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #205804
Condition
Professionally prepared. Chips and losses to the matrices on the knightia fish, but fossils are preserved. Diplo fish is highlighted with modern pigment, matrix is intact.
North America, United States, Wyoming, Green River Formation, Eocene, ca. 48.5–53.5 million years old. A group of three fossil fish preserved in pale buff lacustrine limestone from the Green River Formation. The largest piece, an oval slab, holds a Diplomystus with its deep body, upturned mouth, and forked tail picked out in warm brown bone, the vertebral column and fine ribs clearly articulated. Two small matrix pieces each carry a compact Knightia, the herring relative so abundant in these ancient lake beds that it became Wyoming's state fossil. Fin rays and skull elements remain legible on all three. Together they show a predator alongside the little fish it is known to have eaten. Size of largest: 4.25" L x 2.5" W x 0.8" D (10.8 cm L x 6.4 cm W x 2.0 cm D); Size of smallest: 1.75" L x 1" W x 0.25" D (4.4 cm L x 2.5 cm W x 0.6 cm D).
Provenance: private Mead, Colorado, USA collection acquired via auction house, Quincy, Illinois, USA, in August 2026; collected from Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #205804
Condition
Professionally prepared. Chips and losses to the matrices on the knightia fish, but fossils are preserved. Diplo fish is highlighted with modern pigment, matrix is intact.
