Motley-Headed Fossil Crinoid, Pike Co., MO

Description

This unidentified crinoid from Pike Co., MO, shows its thin, furry arms fanned out for your viewing pleasure. It looks so delicate, resting on its plate with other crinoid stems and fragments. Like a full head of unbound hair submerged in an ocean, tangling with the coral fragments and alien lifeforms which inhabit this particular little aquatic universe. But its ocean is rock, and its movements, stiffened by the mineralization of time around its beautiful locks. Just how these delicate strands of earlier, fleshy animal life came to be preserved like this must be the tale of the most gentle tragedy. A gentle current filled with soft mud? The crumbling of a cliff far above, leaving only marine snow and natural detritus to slip down? Who knows? For now, all we can do is wonder about this nameless little mystery crinoid. On its matrix, it measures approximately 3 1/4” x 6 3/16” x 3/4”, and weighs 1 lb., 3.2 ounces.
A note about fossils: While there are many fakes and forgeries on the market—and you need to be careful when purchasing fossils—I am confident of my sourcing and preparation. To be clear, nearly all fossils on the market are restored to some degree in preparation. But this kind of preparation is different from faking and/or misrepresenting fossils, which is usually but not always done to deceive or mislead buyers. That is why the skill and judgment of the preparer are so important—for there is a fine line between the restoration and forgery of fossils. That’s why I am not able to discern for YOU where exactly that line is drawn. Speaking for myself, restoration and repair of cracks, wear, dangerously thin plates, and “bite” marks are acceptable so long as they don't change or misrepresent the original fossil find. So, too, are the careful use of pigments and clear non-yellowing sealants which are used to protect and finish the fossil. I have seen hundreds and even thousands of "raw" fossils from the sites represented among my offerings. Some are nearly impeccable, but are dull in appearance until they have been sealed. Others have fragile plates, wear spots, or "bite" marks which, to my way of thinking, the preparer needs to address. And it’s not easy. If they do too much, they risk ruining the fossil, and, if they do not do enough, the fossil doesn't look as nice as it might—which, to my mind, makes the piece less desirable. So before you purchase a fossil from me, please look very closely at the pictures. If you see something you do not like, then please do NOT purchase the fossil. My aim is to offer only the very best fossils—those in the top 5% of all fossils taken—from exciting and exclusive sites. But, in the end, it is YOU who must be pleased. If you are not, please re-read my return policy above. I’m not wanting anyone to feel saddled with something they don’t like.