Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 172
image_0 image_1
Cretaceous Fossil Teeth - Mosasaur & Marine Reptile Predator Lot
Cretaceous Fossil Teeth - Mosasaur & Marine Reptile Predator Lot
image_0 image_1

North Africa, Morocco, ca. 100,000,000–66,000,000 BCE. A grouping of five fossilized predator teeth drawn from the warm shallow seas and river systems of the Late Cretaceous. One conical, enamel-sheathed crown remains embedded in its phosphate matrix, a tooth of the marine lizard Mosasaurus, while the loose specimens range from slender, finely striated crowns to a robust root-bearing example with a porous bony base. Their honeyed browns and creams record millions of years of mineral replacement within the Khouribga and Oulad Abdoun phosphate beds of Morocco. Together they capture the apex predators that once patrolled the Tethyan margins, mosasaurs and crocodilian reptiles whose serried teeth seized fish, ammonites, and one another. Mounted as a set, the lot offers both scientific variety and the quiet drama of deep time made tangible. Size: 3" L x 2.5" W (7.6 cm x 6.4 cm).

Mosasaurs were not dinosaurs but giant marine lizards, distant relatives of modern monitor lizards and snakes, that rose to dominance in the final epoch of the Cretaceous before vanishing in the end-Cretaceous extinction roughly 66 million years ago. The Moroccan phosphate deposits south of Casablanca preserve one of the richest records of this vanished marine fauna, yielding teeth in extraordinary abundance and fine preservation, which is why such specimens reach the collector market in quantity.

Provenance: private Texas, USA Collection

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

Item # 201857

  • Condition: A few repairs as is normal, one still in ancient matrix. . Nice group of display pieces.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

by Artemis Fine Arts
June 25, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000