A stunning and rare example of a crinoid fossil of the species Pentacrinites fossilis from the world-famous Jurassic Coast beach of Charmouth, Dorset UK.
The fossil measures 216 mm (8.5 inches) across, which is large for a crinoid fossil from this location. The fossil consists of a colony of small crinoids preserved together in a mass with good detail in the exposed stems, arms, and pinnules.
It is preserved in limestone with no pyrite and has been backed with a rock-coloured plaster to make it strong and stable. Many hours of preparation have gone into this specimen. These crinoids are very sought after and not easy to find these days. It weighs 770 grams.
These colonies lived in the Jurassic seas attached to pieces of floating driftwood. Finding a colony like this is rare on the Coast.
Around 196 million years old (Sinemurian, Early Jurassic), this fossil would make a wonderful addition to any collection.