Curating Natural History

Exemplifying the beauty of prehistoric flight, this Rhamphorhynchus skeleton exhibits incredible preservation and detail. The graceful arch of its neck and extended tail, along with elegantly spread limbs create a strong sense of dynamism. Its exceptionally preserved tail vane, which acted as a rudder when the Pterosaur was alive, enhances its lifelike quality and provides valuable insights into early flight mechanics.

Preserved on a large slab of fine-grained limestone, this specimen’s completeness is particularly noteworthy, as comparable pieces from the Solnhofen Limestone are rare. The unique conditions of the Late Jurassic lagoon—a warm, shallow, oxygen-poor environment—allowed for extraordinary fossil preservation. The Solnhofen area was part of the northern edge of the Tethys Sea, characterized by diverse facies, including reef and sponge buildups, creating an ideal environment for exceptional fossilization. This lagoon teemed with biodiversity, including marine life and aerial species like the famous Archaeopteryx, considered the earliest known bird.

Fossils of this caliber enable significant reconstruction of ancient anatomy and behavior, contributing to the advancement of paleontology. Its outstanding display quality makes it a striking centerpiece for a prestigious private collection or a scientific institution, offering both scientific significance and visual impact.

TAXONOMY 

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Pterosauria
• Family: Rhamphorhynchidae
• Genus: Rhamphorhynchus
• Species: R. muensteri

GEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

• Formation: Solnhofen Limestone
• Lithostratigraphic Layer: White Jura, Malm
• Location: Mühlheim, Germany
• Age: Upper Jurassic (161 to 150 million years ago)

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 

• Dimensions: 33.5 x 26.4 x 1.6 in (85 x 67 x 4 cm)
• Weight: 63 lbs (28.6 kg)

PROVENANCE

• Private German collection, legally designated for export and trade. This specimen is ethically sourced and fully compliant with international regulations, ensuring responsible acquisition and ownership.

A Rare and Monumental Specimen of Lunar Origin

Weighing an extraordinary 10.8 kilograms, this specimen of Oued El Hamim 001 is one of the largest lunar meteorites ever offered for private ownership. Discovered in 2024 near Ajdabiya, Libya, this lunar fragmental breccia has been classified by Dr. Carl Agee of the University of New Mexico as an authentic piece of the Moon’s surface. Its exceptional size, scientific importance, and natural beauty make it a cornerstone for any serious collection.

A Lunar Specimen of Uncommon Scale

Lunar meteorites are among the rarest materials on Earth, and specimens of this magnitude are exceedingly scarce. The reddish-brown, textured surface of OEH 001 reflects its weathering in the Libyan desert, while polished slices reveal white feldspar fragments, multicolored mineral clasts, and a fine-grained gray-green matrix. Its monumental size and striking appearance set it apart as a unique natural artifact.

Scientific Importance: A Rare Glimpse into Lunar Water Activity

What makes  truly exceptional is the evidence of aqueous alteration—a feature almost unheard of in lunar meteorites. Analysis by Dr. Agee shows olivine crystals altered into an iddingsite-like phase, indicating interaction with water beneath the Moon’s surface. Clear boundaries between unaltered and altered regions reveal a fascinating geological history, offering insights into processes rarely associated with lunar materials.

Key Features:

• Mass: 10.8 kilograms—an extraordinary size for a lunar meteorite (10,859 grams)

• Classification: Lunar fragmental breccia, classified by Dr. Carl Agee (UNM)

• Composition: Plagioclase feldspar, olivine (unaltered and altered), pyroxenes, and vesicular shock melt domains

• Provenance: Part of a 33.18 kg total find in the Libyan desert

• Dimensions: 19 x 26 x 14 cm (7.5 x 10.25 x 5.5 in)

From the Moon to Earth

Oued El Hamim 001 began its journey millions of years ago, when a colossal asteroid impact ejected it from the Moon’s surface. After traveling 384,000 kilometers through space, it landed on Earth, where it was discovered in the Libyan desert. Its lunar origin was confirmed through detailed mineralogical and chemical analysis by Dr. Carl Agee, establishing it as an authentic relic of our nearest celestial neighbour

This meteorite represents an extraordinary opportunity to acquire a specimen of immense scientific and aesthetic value. With its unparalleled size and rare geological features, Oued El Hamim 001 is a tangible connection to the Moon, a relic of cosmic history, and an iconic addition to any world-class collection.

This highly complete Tyrannosaurus rex foot claw is a rare and scientifically significant specimen, providing an exceptional glimpse into the anatomy and adaptations of one of history’s most iconic apex predators. Retaining its rare intact tip—a feature seldom preserved in fossilized claws—it stands as an extraordinary example of T. rex’s formidable structure and function.

The claw originates from the Lance Formation in Weston County, Wyoming, a fossil-rich floodplain environment dating back 66 million years to the late Cretaceous period. The Lance Formation is renowned for preserving a diverse array of prehistoric life, including Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, and theropods like Dakotaraptor. This ancient ecosystem, with its fine-grained sediments and oxygen-poor burial conditions, provided the ideal setting for exceptional fossil preservation. The T. rex, as a top predator, used its robust foot claws for traction and stability, crucial for its role as a dominant carnivore of this ecosystem.

With its remarkable completeness, including the rare intact tip, this foot claw is not only a scientific treasure but also an awe-inspiring artifact that vividly captures the power and adaptability of T. rex. Its historical significance and outstanding preservation make it a striking centerpiece for any serious collection, embodying the strength and dominance of the ancient world it once ruled.

TAXONOMY

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Reptilia

• Order: Saurischia

• Family: Tyrannosauridae

• Genus: Tyrannosaurus

• Species: T. rex

GEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

• Formation: Lance Formation

• Lithostratigraphic Layer: Upper Cretaceous

• Location: Weston County, Wyoming

• Age: Approximately 66 million years ago

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Dimensions: 15.5 x 6.8 x 5.2 cm (6.1 x 2.7 x 2 in)

• Weight: Approximately 1.2 lbs (0.54 kg)

PROVENANCE

Legally and ethically excavated from private land in Weston County, Wyoming. Accompanied by supporting documentation confirming its compliance with all legal regulations. Further details, including formal paperwork, are available upon request.

This Lytoceras cornicupae, a sublime relic of the Jurassic seas, embodies the fluid elegance of nature’s design. Its uncoiling form, distinct among ammonites, evokes the slow, deliberate motion of ancient ocean currents. Well preserved, its delicate whorls and finely striated shell structure reflect the ceaseless rhythm of deep time, a testament to the resilience of life in an ever-changing world. Sourced from Belmont, near Lyon, France—a locality celebrated for its remarkable fossil preservation. This specimen offers a rare glimpse into a marine realm lost to history, where cephalopods thrived in vast, sunlit waters. More than a vestige of prehistory, this Lytoceras is a sculptural artifact of nature, uniting paleontology with aesthetic wonder.

TAXONOMY 

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Order: Ammonitida 
• Family: Lytoceratidae
• Genus: Lytoceras
• Species: L. Cornicupae

GEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

• Location: Belmont (Lyon) France
• Age: Jurassic 201 to 145 Million years old

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 

• Dimensions: 9.4” x 6.8” x 4.1”  (23.9 cm x 17.3 cm x 10.4 cm)
• Dimensions on display: 11.26" x 7.92" x 7.92" (28.6 cm x 20.1 cm x 20.1 cm)
• Weight: 4645
• Restoration on outer edged of blades. Small chip on a backside blade (not noticeable from front view).

Bespoke metal stand included