Skip to main content
Go to accessibility notice
Home / Art & Antiques / 2009 January Signature Natural History Auction Auction #6012 / Lot #41220
    LOT #41220  | 
    Sold on Jan 18, 2009 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

    UNIQUE HANDMADE FOSSIL STINGRAY BOX. ...

    Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
    Lapidary Art:Boxes, UNIQUE HANDMADE FOSSIL STINGRAY BOX. ...
    Sold on Jan 18, 2009 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

    View Recent Offers on Sold Items in this category
    Claim Item:
    View Condition Report
    Track Item Share this lot

    Sell One of These Currency Converter

    Description

    UNIQUE HANDMADE FOSSIL STINGRAY BOX
    Heliobatus radians, Diplomystus dentatus
    Eocene
    Warfield Quarries, Green River Formation, Lincoln Co., Wyoming, USA
    This exquisite box combines the beauty of nature, ancient and modern, with the art of the skilled woodworker to create a unique, captivating and functional object. At the centre of the lid are the fossilized remains of a rare prehistoric stingray. The impossibly delicate structure of the ray's cartilaginous skeleton is most fascinatingly exhibited in the hundreds of tiny "bones" that make up the wing-like pectoral fins. Set into clear strong Lucite, it is bordered by pieces of crosscut Indiana walnut, the irregular bark outline retained to give an aesthetically pleasing reminder of the original tree's natural form; what is more, three of the small irregularities in the walnut have been filled with natural Arizona turquoise, and back edge of the lid is comprised of a strip of striking purple heart from Africa. The purple heart motif is repeated in a band on the base of the box, above which, on the face, is mounted another fine Green River fossil, this time a small example of the predatory Diplomystus dentatus, showing similarly fine detail and particularly delicate coloring. This is flanked by two further sections of cross-cut Indiana walnut, whilst the remainder of the box is fashioned from quarter and plain sawn sections of the same wood. The whole piece measures 16½ x 7 7/8 x 4¼ inches and is inscribed on the underside by the maker Stephen Rapp with details of the materials used, item number and date.

    Condition Report*: Condition report available upon request.
    *Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report. Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.

    Auction Info

    Auction Dates
    January, 2009
    18th Sunday
    Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 17
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
    Page Views: 1,331

    Buyer's Premium per Lot:
    19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.

    Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
    This item cannot be shipped using standard methods. Please contact us for more information. Sales Tax information

    Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More

    Terms and Conditions  |  Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments |  Glossary of Terms

    Viewing at %
    Please enter a value between % and 100% and press your "Enter" key. Close
    Fit to screen View Full Size Brightness
    Sold on Jan 18, 2009 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Sold on Jan 18, 2009 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Track Item
    Coming soon:

    US Coins
    Opens about 02/26/2021

    Sports Collectibles
    Opens about 03/04/2021

    Luxury Real Estate
    Opens about 01/22/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 03/03/2021

    Jewelry & Timepieces
    Opens about 03/08/2021

    Movie Posters
    Opens about 03/05/2021

    Comics & Comic Art
    Opens about 03/12/2021

    World & Ancient Coins
    Opens about 03/07/2021

    Currency
    Opens about 03/08/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 03/17/2021

    Comics & Comic Art
    Opens about 03/19/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 03/18/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 03/08/2021

    Jewelry & Timepieces
    Opens about 02/24/2021

    Photography
    Opens about 03/19/2021

    Musical Instruments
    Opens about 03/23/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 03/23/2021

    Photography
    Opens about 03/24/2021

    Currency
    Opens about 03/26/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 03/16/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 03/26/2021

    Historical
    Opens about 03/29/2021

    World & Ancient Coins
    Opens about 03/21/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 04/02/2021

    Currency
    Opens about 04/02/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 03/31/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 04/01/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 03/22/2021

    World & Ancient Coins
    Opens about 03/28/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 04/06/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 04/08/2021

    Heritage membership

    Join Now - It's Free

    VIEW BENEFITS
    1. Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
    2. Bid online
    3. Free Collector newsletter
    4. Want List with instant e-mail notifications
    5. Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
      winnings 
    Consign now
    • Cash Advances
    • More Bidders
    • Trusted Experts
    • Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
    Consign to the 2021 October 5 Photographs Signature Auction - Dallas.

    Learn about consigning with us

    A few months before the Auction we received a beautifully printed Auction Brochure that showed the painting to its best advantage.
    Shauna Y.,
    Dallas, TX
    View More Testimonials

    HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)

    Video tutorial

    Getting the most out of search