Lot 815* - A207 Out of This World - Monday, 04. December 2023, 04.00 PM
EDESTUS SHARK JAW
Edestus sp.
Carboniferous, 305–310 million years
USA
Matrix Height: 40 cm (not including stand)
Jaw length: 19.5 cm (straight line)
Carboniferous, 305–310 million years
USA
Matrix Height: 40 cm (not including stand)
Jaw length: 19.5 cm (straight line)
Edestus is a genus of shark–like cartilaginous fish from that lived in the world's oceans from the Late Devonian to the late Carboniferous. They have been conservatively estimated to reach greater than 6.7 m (22 ft) in length, around the size of the largest known great white shark.
But unlike modern sharks, the species of Edestus grew teeth in curved blades or ‘whorls’. Only a single row of blade teeth occurred in the midline of each jaw, leading Edestus to sometimes be described as the ‘scissor tooth shark’. Even their name is in reference to the aberrant structure and size of the species’ teeth. Edestus is a Greek word derived from the word edeste, which means ‘to devour’.
The specimen presented here is very well preserved and comes with the slab of original matrix in which it was found. Because of its jaw, the Edestus might have been the most idiosyncratic-looking sea creature of all time.
But unlike modern sharks, the species of Edestus grew teeth in curved blades or ‘whorls’. Only a single row of blade teeth occurred in the midline of each jaw, leading Edestus to sometimes be described as the ‘scissor tooth shark’. Even their name is in reference to the aberrant structure and size of the species’ teeth. Edestus is a Greek word derived from the word edeste, which means ‘to devour’.
The specimen presented here is very well preserved and comes with the slab of original matrix in which it was found. Because of its jaw, the Edestus might have been the most idiosyncratic-looking sea creature of all time.
CHF 6 000 / 8 000 | (€ 6 190 / 8 250)
Sold for CHF 5 625 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.