Jurassic ammonite

A Jurassic period (199-145 million years ago) Madagascan ammonite. Ammonites are an extinct group of marine animals Their fossil shells usually take the form of planispirals. Their name came from their spiral shape as their fossilized shells somewhat resemble tightly-coiled rams' horns. Pliny the Elder (d. 79 A.D. near Pompeii) called fossils of these animals ammonis cornua ("horns of Ammon") because the Egyptian god Ammon (Amun) was typically depicted wearing ram's horns.

The ammonite measures 31 cm x 27 cm and with the portland stone plinth stands 46 cm tall.