Exceptional Artifact & Collectible Auction
Lot 304:
Large 2 3/4" Mazon Creek Jellyfish (Essexella asherae) Ex Field Museum of Natural History
Rare large 2 3/4 inch specimen of Essexella asherae the classicsoft bodied fosil often called the Mazon Creek jellyfish
Collected from the world famous Mazon Creek of IllinoisLate Carboniferous Pennsylvanian about 307 million years old
This example shows the rounded bell shape typical of Essexellawith a broad well defined outline that clearly shows the overallform
Fine internal detail is subtle which is normal for largerspecimens but the exceptional size places this piece in theupper range known from the locality
Most Essexella measure 1 to 2 inches and pieces reaching3 inches are uncommon and highly sought after
Both sides of the same stone are present showing both halves ofthe impression
Stone nodule is about 3 5/8 in long
Ex Field Museum of Natural History Chicago
HA stands for the Hoard Anderson collection one of the largestprivate collections of Mazon Creek fossils donated to themuseum in 1978
The museum later deaccessioned much of the collection to raisefunds for projects
Condition: Authentic
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