Stunning cephalopod fossil — “Question mark” shape - Fossilised shell - Lituites
03
days
03
hours
59
minutes
53
seconds
17 other people are watching this object
 | €100 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 136274 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Lituites specimen from the Ordovician period, originating in Asia, in natural condition, authentic original.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A highly attractive specimen of Lituites preserved on its original matrix, featuring exceptional natural mineralization and beautiful coloration.
Large, well-preserved examples with a clearly visible juvenile coiled section are increasingly difficult to find, making this a particularly desirable piece for collectors of Paleozoic fossils.
This specimen measures approximately 13 cm and has been left completely unpolished, preserving its natural appearance and authenticity.
The fossil displays excellent preservation, with the characteristic morphology of Lituites clearly visible, including the delicate juvenile coiled portion transitioning into the adult shell.
Highlights
Genuine Lituites sp. fossil
Origin: China
Size: slab is 14,5 cm
Preserved on original matrix
Unprepared / natural condition
Beautiful natural mineralization and coloration
Juvenile coiled section clearly preserved
Excellent display quality
Collector's Significance
Lituites is one of the most distinctive Paleozoic cephalopods, prized for its unusual shell development and elegant appearance. Specimens that retain both the juvenile and adult portions, while also exhibiting attractive natural mineralization, are especially sought after by collectors.
This example combines aesthetic appeal, excellent preservation, and natural authenticity, making it an outstanding addition to any fossil, cephalopod, or Ordovician collection.
Lituites are an extinct genus of orthoconic cephalopods that lived during the Ordovician period, around 450 million years ago. They are distant relatives of modern squids and nautiluses.
Their distinctive “question mark” shape — starting with a tight spiral and extending into a long, straight cone — reflects an evolutionary adaptation for buoyancy control and stability in ancient seas.
This specimen beautifully illustrates that transition from the coiled to the straight shell, offering both scientific and aesthetic appeal.
A rare and elegant piece that combines scientific interest with timeless natural beauty — perfect for collectors and fossil enthusiasts alike.
Seller's Story
I, Don, started fossil hunting in 1987, going from a passionate collector to a professional preparator and researcher. In all these years I have traveled searching for fossils in many parts of the world.
Our fossils are present in private collections in the United States, Singapore, Taiwan, as well as in prestigious museums in the Uk, China and Japan.
Quality in the preparation of the material and seriousness in managing the shipment in the best possible way distinguish us.
Don
A highly attractive specimen of Lituites preserved on its original matrix, featuring exceptional natural mineralization and beautiful coloration.
Large, well-preserved examples with a clearly visible juvenile coiled section are increasingly difficult to find, making this a particularly desirable piece for collectors of Paleozoic fossils.
This specimen measures approximately 13 cm and has been left completely unpolished, preserving its natural appearance and authenticity.
The fossil displays excellent preservation, with the characteristic morphology of Lituites clearly visible, including the delicate juvenile coiled portion transitioning into the adult shell.
Highlights
Genuine Lituites sp. fossil
Origin: China
Size: slab is 14,5 cm
Preserved on original matrix
Unprepared / natural condition
Beautiful natural mineralization and coloration
Juvenile coiled section clearly preserved
Excellent display quality
Collector's Significance
Lituites is one of the most distinctive Paleozoic cephalopods, prized for its unusual shell development and elegant appearance. Specimens that retain both the juvenile and adult portions, while also exhibiting attractive natural mineralization, are especially sought after by collectors.
This example combines aesthetic appeal, excellent preservation, and natural authenticity, making it an outstanding addition to any fossil, cephalopod, or Ordovician collection.
Lituites are an extinct genus of orthoconic cephalopods that lived during the Ordovician period, around 450 million years ago. They are distant relatives of modern squids and nautiluses.
Their distinctive “question mark” shape — starting with a tight spiral and extending into a long, straight cone — reflects an evolutionary adaptation for buoyancy control and stability in ancient seas.
This specimen beautifully illustrates that transition from the coiled to the straight shell, offering both scientific and aesthetic appeal.
A rare and elegant piece that combines scientific interest with timeless natural beauty — perfect for collectors and fossil enthusiasts alike.
Seller's Story
I, Don, started fossil hunting in 1987, going from a passionate collector to a professional preparator and researcher. In all these years I have traveled searching for fossils in many parts of the world.
Our fossils are present in private collections in the United States, Singapore, Taiwan, as well as in prestigious museums in the Uk, China and Japan.
Quality in the preparation of the material and seriousness in managing the shipment in the best possible way distinguish us.
Don
Details
Specimen
Stunning cephalopod fossil — “Question mark” shape
Scientific name
Lituites
Country of origin
Asia
Geological period
Ordovician (485.4 - 443.8 million years)
Condition
Natural
Treatment
Polished
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
