About this piece
back to topA striking prehistoric mounted crinoid sea lily fossil sourced from China as marked to one of the edges. This plate-like specimen is perfect for modern sculptural display on a sideboard, mantelpiece or shelf.
Crinoids, also known as the sea lilies, are an ancient fossil group that predates dinosaurs by more than 300 million years. They are characterised by their stem structure, consisting of disc-like plates stacked one on top of the next.
Fossilised crinoid stems like this one are formed in shallow water over millions of years. Descendants of the crinoid still exist today and include sea urchins, sea cucumbers and starfish.
The crinoid is commonly nicknamed sea lily for its appearance, resembling flowers growing from the depths of the ocean. Most crinoids are now extinct, the only surviving ones found in very deep water. It is thought that crinoids would’ve once carpeted the ocean floor in “forests” of sea lilies.
Provenance
Ex. private British collection of Chris Cornell. Cornell was a specialist in taxidermy and natural history, with works displayed in London’s Museum of Natural History.
