A stunning and rare example of a fossil crinoid colony of the species Pentacrinites fossilis, from the world-famous Jurassic Coast beach of Charmouth, Dorset UK.
The fossil measures 380 mm (15 inches) across, which is very large for a crinoid fossil from this location, and contains multiple individual animals that lived together in a colony attached to a floating piece of driftwood (the darker area of the fossil). The level of detail in the preservation of this piece is fantastic, with multiple animals showing the complete anatomy of stems with attachment cirri and heads with crowns of arms and pinnules in wonderful 3D. It is preserved in calcite with no pyrite and has an unusually pale colour. It was found in multiple pieces and has been put back together, as is standard with these fossils, and the reverse side has been coated in a hard rock-coloured plaster to make it strong and stable. Finding a crinoid fossil from this location as well-preserved as this is very hard nowadays, and these beautiful examples don't come up for sale very often. A rare opportunity to own a very sought after and uncommon fossil from this iconic location. The whole piece weighs 1850 grams. This is a real one-off specimen for the collector of fine fossils. Crinoids this big and detailed from the Jurassic Coast do not come up for sale often.
Around 196 million years old, this fossil would make a wonderful addition to any collection.