Knightia Fossil (Fossilized Fish)
Natural History Specimen / Lapidary Art; Fossil preserved in a limestone matrix. • Natural origin (Nature); sourced from the Green River Formation, likely near Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Style & Movement
Naturalism / Geological Artifact.
Medium & Technique
Natural fossilization via permineralization; preserved in Eocene-era micritic limestone (laminated mudstone).
Creation Period
Eocene Epoch (approximately 50-52 million years ago).
Dimensions & Format
Estimated matrix size: 6 x 8 inches; overall framed format: approx. 12 x 14 inches; vertical orientation.
Subject Description
A well-preserved specimen of Knightia eocaena, an extinct genus of clupeid fish related to modern herrings and sardines. The specimen shows clear skeletal structure, fin rays, and vertebrae, positioned diagonally in a light tan sedimentary matrix.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the central fossil is largely intact with high contrast, though some peripheral soft-tissue definition is lost.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Likely commercial excavation from private fossil quarries in the Green River Formation (Kemmerer, WY); presented in a modern professional shadowbox gallery frame.
Art Historical Significance
While a biological specimen, Green River fossils are significant in the 'Cabinet of Curiosities' tradition, bridging natural science and decorative art. They represent a snapshot of the ancient subtropical Fossil Lake ecosystem.
Notable Features
Includes a small brass identification plaque at the bottom of the frame; high-contrast carbonization makes the skeletal remains stand out sharply against the pale matrix.
Condition Issues
Natural cleavage planes in the limestone; minor surface abrasions; fossil appears to have a light stabilizer coating (common for preservation).
Conservation Recommendations
Display away from direct UV light to prevent yellowing of stabilizers; maintain stable humidity to prevent shale delamination; keep in its current shadowbox to prevent physical impact.