Deux ammonites «ailées» sur matrice

'Winged' Ammonite Pair on Matrix
Lytoceras cornucopae and Porpoceras sp.
Jurassic
Belmont, France
One of the most popular of all decorative fossils is the ammonite, and here is a perfect demonstration of why they have proved to be such an enduring collectible. Rare and exotic, these two coiled French ammonites are encircled with a series of pronounced ornamental bands known as 'wings'. These specimens have been painstakingly prepared in fine detail from the hard limestone matrix which is still attached. The larger specimen, measures 30 x 28 cm in diameter; the smaller one, measures 18 cm in diameter.

As a bonus there is a third ammonite of a different species, Porpoceras, diameter 6 cm, peeking out of the open chamber of the larger ammonite. Known as the 'spiny ammonite', they are quite difficult to prepare as the spines are quite subtle. Measuring overall: 41 x 34 x 18 cm