侏羅紀晚期 美國懷俄明州異特龍顱骨

the ferocious carnivorous dinosaur with huge articulated jaws lined with about 65 curved teeth, the fierce skeleton raised on a metal stand supported on a wood base

This impressive allosaurus skull has been professionally assembled by an experienced team of European scientists and palaeontologists. It is extremely rare to assemble a skull with so much of the original elements intact, and the missing pieces have carefully been reproduced and incorporated into the skillful mounting of the skull. A diagram showing the detailed composition of the skull is available upon request, and clearly shows that over ½ the original elements are preserved. The left profile as shown in the main double-page image in the catalogue is particularly intact, with up to 2/3 in place. This compares very favourably with other dinosaur skulls preserved in museum collections. For those in private hands, it is extraordinary to find an example so intact. The overall condition is stable, with just expected bruises and surface wear, especially at the teeth and other fragile extremities.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

異特龍是一億五千三百萬至一億三千五百萬年前生活在地球上的獸腳亞目恐龍，在侏羅紀時期的地位相當於後來的暴龍。

1877年，奧賽內爾．查利斯．馬什發現了第一批異特龍化石。異特龍的英文名「Allosaurus」來自希臘語，意為「奇特（allos）的蜥蜴（sauros）」，和電影《侏羅紀公園》中的主角暴龍相比，體型略小一些。異特龍是兇猛殘忍的肉食性恐龍，行動可能比暴龍更為敏捷。牠的主要武器是巨顱中無數的內彎利牙，能夠像魚鉤一樣緊緊咬住獵物，讓獵物無處可逃，就算在打鬥中掉落也能很快重新長出。

異特龍前肢上有三個如刀刃般鋒利的指爪，能夠緊緊抓住獵物並將其撕成碎片。牠捕獵草食性蜥腳類動物，巨大的下顎可以在左右撐開足夠空間以吞下大塊食物。牠用短短前肢上三個鋒利的指爪按住並撕碎獵物。異特龍強有力的後肢上有四個指爪，其中一個向後生長。觀看頭骨可見其眼窩上方有小三角形「角冠」。據推斷異特龍應重達數噸，生活在一億五千三百萬至一億三千五百萬年前的北美洲，是侏羅紀晚期體型最為龐大的捕食者之一，令人望而生畏。直到五千萬年後，暴龍才出現並代替牠們成為食物鏈頂端的王者。此顱骨安放於木質基座上，由歐洲科學家及考古學家以最新的科學方式組裝固定。由於法律規範，肉食性恐龍頭骨在市場上難得一見，此件拍品完全符合聯合國教科文組織法規，其巨大尺寸而更為稀少罕有。由於異特龍軀體龐大，骸骨散落面積廣闊，頭骨與身體部分相距甚遠，是以除顱骨外，骨架難以保存，現已佚失無存。此件拍品尺寸巨大，出土年代久遠因而以傳統方式將顱骨復原。世界各地神話中都有龍的存在，異特龍這一史前巨獸更讓人帶來無限想像。

「稀世珍寶」常用來形容物品的稀有寶貴，但也經常言過其實。然而這尊充滿震撼力的巨型異特龍頭骨，「稀世珍寶」一詞名副其實。