Uncovering Fossils In The Nature Culture & Curiosity Sale


March 2026

There is something uniquely compelling about fossils. Long before they became objects of study or display, they were simply remnants of worlds that no longer exist - fragments of deep time preserved in stone.

The Nature, Culture & Curiosity Sale (ending 16 April) brings together a fascinating group of specimens spanning hundreds of millions of years, from the earliest marine life of the Cambrian seas to the age of dinosaurs and beyond. For collectors, these objects offer more than visual interest. They provide a direct, tangible connection to Earth’s distant past.

Before Life As We Know It

Among the earliest forms of complex life are trilobites, extinct marine arthropods that thrived for over 250 million years before disappearing in the Permian extinction.

A group of three trilobite specimens (estimate £50-100) spans both the Cambrian period (around 500 million years ago) and the later Ordovician period (approximately 485–444 million years ago). Species such as Selenopeltis buchhi and Cambropallas telesto are particularly prized for their intricate exoskeletons and well-preserved detail.
Morocco has become one of the world’s most important sources for trilobite fossils, thanks to its rich geological formations and accessibility. However, increasing regulation and depletion of easily accessible sites mean that good quality specimens are becoming steadily harder to source, especially complete examples with strong visual definition.

Also dating back to these ancient seas is a group of five starfish fossils (estimate £80–120), ranging from the Ordovician through to the Jurassic period (roughly 485–145 million years ago). British examples from Dorset and Shropshire sit alongside Moroccan specimens, illustrating both the geographic spread and evolutionary continuity of these marine organisms. Fossilised starfish are relatively scarce compared to other marine fossils, as their delicate structures are less likely to survive the fossilisation process intact.

Creatures of The Mesozoic Seas

By the time of the Jurassic period (201–145 million years ago), marine ecosystems had evolved into something far more recognisable, with fish and reptiles occupying complex ecological niches.

A striking example is a fossilised Lepidotus fish (estimate £80–120), an armoured species often compared to modern river pike. Measuring over 80cm in length, this Brazilian specimen offers both scale and clarity, with its distinctive ganoid scales still clearly visible. Large fish fossils of this size are particularly appealing for display, bridging the gap between scientific specimen and decorative object.

From slightly earlier in the Triassic period (around 252–201 million years ago) comes a Keichosaurus hui (estimate £150–250), a small marine reptile from what is now China’s Henan Province. These creatures lived in shallow lagoons and are frequently found in lifelike, articulated poses. China has long been a key source of such fossils, though tightening export controls and increased domestic demand have made well-preserved examples more sought after on the international market.

The Age of Dinosaurs

Few fossils capture the imagination quite like those from the age of dinosaurs.

A particularly interesting specimen is an Andiloceras heteromorph ammonite (estimate £100–200) from the Cretaceous period (145–66 million years ago). Unlike the more familiar tightly coiled ammonites, heteromorph species evolved unusual, partially uncoiled forms. This specimen, found near the Volga River in Russia, reflects a period of evolutionary experimentation in marine life.

Russian fossils have become increasingly difficult to source in recent years due to geopolitical restrictions and export limitations. As a result, specimens from historic Russian localities are now seen less frequently on the market, adding an additional layer of interest for collectors. Perhaps the most evocative piece in the group is a Hadrosaur dinosaur egg (Dendroolithus sp.) from the Cretaceous period, discovered in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia (estimate £200–400). At around 20cm in length, it represents a direct link to the reproductive life of dinosaurs. The Gobi Desert has produced some of the most important dinosaur discoveries of the last century, but export regulations have tightened significantly, making legally acquired specimens increasingly desirable and, in some cases, difficult to obtain.


Few What unites these fossils is not just their age, but their ability to collapse vast spans of time into something immediate and tangible. A trilobite that once crawled along a prehistoric seabed half a billion years ago can now sit in the palm of your hand. A dinosaur egg, buried for millions of years, becomes an object of curiosity and wonder.
For collectors, fossils occupy a unique space. They are at once scientific specimens, decorative objects and historical artefacts - each with its own story shaped by geology, geography and discovery.

The Nature, Culture & Curiosity Sale ends 16 April. Browse the catalogue and discover a collection shaped by deep time.
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