Fossilized Megalodon Shark Tooth, Polished Black Enamel
Ancient Seas, Middle Miocene to End of Pliocene Eras, ca. 2.6–23 million years old. A fossilized and polished tooth of Otodus megalodon, the giant extinct shark, presented on a custom stand. Otodus megalodon is the largest predatory shark known and is identified mainly from teeth and vertebrae, as its cartilaginous skeleton rarely fossilized. The blade has been polished to reveal the dark inner layers of the tooth, giving it a smooth, glossy black surface framed by gray edges. A finely striated bourlette separates the blade from the matte root, which retains its natural textured surface. Size: 4.6" L x 3.6" W (11.7 cm L x 9.1 cm W); Size on included custom stand: 5" H (12.7 cm H).
Otodus megalodon was the largest predatory shark known. Estimates based on tooth size put adults at around 15 meters or more. Like all sharks, it replaced its teeth continually throughout its life and shed thousands over a lifetime. That is why its fossil teeth survive in good numbers while its cartilage skeleton almost never does. The color of a fossil tooth comes from the minerals in the sediment where it lay, not from the living animal. Black enamel like this usually reflects phosphate-rich, low-oxygen burial conditions.
Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-Low Country Geologic, South Carolina, 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 #204956
Condition
Losses to enamel on the peripheries and obverse. Polished enamel as shown, and serrations are smooth. Nice coloration.
Ancient Seas, Middle Miocene to End of Pliocene Eras, ca. 2.6–23 million years old. A fossilized and polished tooth of Otodus megalodon, the giant extinct shark, presented on a custom stand. Otodus megalodon is the largest predatory shark known and is identified mainly from teeth and vertebrae, as its cartilaginous skeleton rarely fossilized. The blade has been polished to reveal the dark inner layers of the tooth, giving it a smooth, glossy black surface framed by gray edges. A finely striated bourlette separates the blade from the matte root, which retains its natural textured surface. Size: 4.6" L x 3.6" W (11.7 cm L x 9.1 cm W); Size on included custom stand: 5" H (12.7 cm H).
Otodus megalodon was the largest predatory shark known. Estimates based on tooth size put adults at around 15 meters or more. Like all sharks, it replaced its teeth continually throughout its life and shed thousands over a lifetime. That is why its fossil teeth survive in good numbers while its cartilage skeleton almost never does. The color of a fossil tooth comes from the minerals in the sediment where it lay, not from the living animal. Black enamel like this usually reflects phosphate-rich, low-oxygen burial conditions.
Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-Low Country Geologic, South Carolina, 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 #204956
Condition
Losses to enamel on the peripheries and obverse. Polished enamel as shown, and serrations are smooth. Nice coloration.
