A stunning example of a crinoid fossil of the species Pentacrinites fossilis from the world-famous Jurassic Coast beach of Charmouth, Dorset UK.
The fossil measures 65 mm (2.58 inches) across and consists of a single head still attached to its stem with a second stem running over the top of the head. The detail in the the arms and pinnules is immaculate and it is preserved in calcite with no pyrite. It has been coated in a thin reversible (soluble) lacquer for protection. These crinoid heads are rare and not often offered for sale. They are hard to find and many hours of preparation work goes into them after they are found. It has been backed with a rock-coloured plaster to stabilise it.
Around 196 million years old, this fossil would make a wonderful addition to any collection.
Crinoids are echinoderms closely related to starfish and sea urchins, and have been around for many hundreds of millions of years. They still live today in the deep seas around the world.