Trilobite fossils

Measuring 22" x 13 3/4" (56cm x 35cm) the matrix is one original piece of limestone dating to the Cambrian Period.

SINGLE MATRIX SLAB

The rock is one whole piece - ie. it is NOT two separate pieces of rock (each with a trilobite), glued together, which is virtually always the case in multiple Paradoxides presentations - the reverse of the matrix slab attests to being one whole piece of rock, including, crucially, where the 2 trilobites meet.

Neither are the trilobites resin cast - a common method of producing such trilobites is to carve out real Cambrian matrix and insert a resin cast - often the adhesion points fail between resin cast and rock,  exposing their true nature.

RARE

It cannot be over stressed that natural, genuine Paradoxides trilobite doubles are EXCEPTIONALLY rare - however there is a proliferation of artificially produced double specimens which may not even contain any real fossil!

Dating to the Cambrian Period, this example originates from the Anti Atlas Mountains of South Morocco.

The trilobites measure 9 1/4" & 11" (23.5cm & 28cm) - the smaller example being on the left in the photo depicting the whole matrix.

RESTORATION

Restoration to both trilobites has been performed - the smaller specimen has approximately 15% restoration overall, including part of the left genal spine, all of the right genal spine, limited areas of the cephalon (note; part of the cephalic fringe is genuine fossil as is part of the left genal spine), fringes of the pleural spines (note; glabella & tips of 6 pleural spines are geunine fossil with NO restoration).

Restoration of the larger trilobite is approximately 50% overall - the first 7 axial rings & pleurae of the thorax are restored, pleural spine tips, both genal spines, free cheeks, cephalon have restoration (note;  glabella & tips of 2 pleural spines are genuine fossil).

In both specimens, genuine fossil underlies restored surface features.

Commonly, geuine Paradoxides may restoration of up to 80% - here we have an associated pair with just 15% & 50% restoration!

GENUINE FEATURES

Preserved fossilized features include the glabella of both specimens, pleural spine tips (as detailed above), both pygidum; both specimens present with a proliferation of terracing (only evident in genuine fossil material).

The pygidium of the larger trilobite slightly overlaps that of the smaller, both pygidium are very well preserved.

AUTHENTICITY

Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity - we guarantee the genuiness of this fossil!

This all real MUSEUM QUALITY fossil must NOT be confused with  commercial grade, fabricated, carved & painted examples or doubles made of 2 separate trilobites - this is a natural association of 2 Paradoxides.

NOTE: genuine Paradoxides doubles sell for $1200 to $3500 - an internet search will confirm - the authenticity of examples significantly less is questionable!

Price $1149.99 + $49.00 worldwide  shipment.