Glasgow based McTear's 10th August auction: A Cabinet of Curiosities: including an Important Natural History Collection, includes a 40 million year old fossilised crocodile with an estimate of £10,000 - £15,000.
The crocodile (Plalaysuchis Petroleum). discovered in China, is perfectly preserved in stone and measures 92cm in length.
It is part of a 200 lot auction featuring the collection of fossils belonging to a geologist based in the Scottish Highlands.
James Spiridion, one of the specialists at McTear's, commented:
‘The fossilised crocodilian is in immaculate condition with a near perfect skeleton on show. It is worth noting that a similar, albeit larger, example recently sold at auction for $250k, illustrating quite clearly how important these fascinating items are.”
The auction also features Megalodon teeth, a fossilised Choristodera skeleton estimated at £2,000, a stunning nest of six fossilised Hadrosaur egg estimated at £7,000, and a 7kg Gibeon meteorite that was discovered in Namibia estimated at £4,000.
Megalodon teeth have been selling well at auction recently with four individual teeth selling for more than $10,000 each at Sotheby's Natural History Sale last week.
There is also a strong taxidermy section to the McTear's auction with a gazelle bust, grey squirrel, buffalo horns and a striking ostrich display comprising two adult and two chicks in eggs with an estimate of £150 - £200.
Full details are at McTear's.