Often interior designers look to the classical for inspiration, like Archimedes helicoid spiral, an irrigation system thought to have been introduced by Archimedes in the 3rd century BC and is still in use today in the Nile delta. The symmetry of the helix spiral similar to whorls of fossilised shells which may have possibly influenced the ancients in their design process in a visual aspect. As archimedes and other classical authors wrote about fossils, here begins a familiarity with this helix form which is transmitted to us on a much more kinetic level than just the aesthetic. Although aesthetically pleasing themes are known to many as therapeutic. Nature has curated our ear structure through the eons having constituent parts resembling helicoid spirals and the patterns of the ammonite fossil shells, thus it effects us on some ethereal level.
Therefore the natural and physically familiar form has a deep rooted presence in our psyche, something unexplained, the connections to the symmetry of ammonites and there shell form is one that has many in raptures, some nerdy types (author included) and on an evolutionary, scientific or paleontological way, many more simply an (also author included), aesthetic delight. Whatever your preferences towards these enigmatic fossil shells we at THE FOSSIL STORE™ understand that the image is strong with this extinct organism. Our team at THE FOSSIL STORE™ specialise in surmounting these prehistoric behemoths, capturing a moment in time, creating something of beauty and of a cool modern chic style, in fact, we hope bringing the l'avant gardé to the ancients.
Perfected Interior Styled Ammonites On Stand Accents
Over the last two and a half decades our teams have perfected a system of mounting fossil ammonites which has presented a new facet to the interior decorator. The surmounted ammonite shell, particularly of large size, is a versatile accoutrement. Having the ability of being a dramatic centre piece feature, coupled with the versatility of residing as an accent piece. This in the main is due to the colour tones which is affected by the region from where these particular ammonites are discovered in Morocco, North Africa, and can be seen sometimes in our online shop at THE FOSSIL STORE™
Moroccan ammonites of large size stream quite easily into our busy lives and abodes. When lighted dramatically one cannot be anything but struck at the size and distinct definition of the ribbed stone shell. However when not lit dramatically, subtle beiges and creams of limestone simply create tranquility and calm and blend perfectly. Only the Moroccan ammonites have these versitilities and unique qualities.
You may have seen our designs and creations in venues, media or on the big screen! Our fossil range of classic mountings have been there, often in the background setting a mood. If this is the first time you have visited our web store browse the section of ammonites on plinths, this is where you can see what we can achieve for you Ammonites on plinths; your next port of call should be to our section of statement pieces, fine fossils mounted on fine bases statements from these starting points navigate through the site to see our mounted fossils of all manner and description, dotted through our other pages.
Our fossils have been featured in many fine interiors Tresanton hotels and private homes, luxury yachts Terence Disdale Yacht Design to great exhibitions Olympia fairs London and great stores Harrods Our fossils have found many routes to great venues and interiors.
Age of the Ammonite
The ammonite lineage evolved in the Cambrian period around five hundred million years ago with the rise of the Cephalopoda group. Ammonites were marine dwellers, related to the nautilus which persist in the Indo Pacific ocean of today. It is remarkable that the nautili along with other cephalopods have survived in the oceans, cephalopods in the shape of squids, octopi and nautili to name a few of the diverse Cephalopoda group. These animals have stood the test of time, seen epoch changing catastrophes, dinosaur extinction events, survived dramatic climatic changes and reductions in habitat and food sources.
The unfortunate ammonites did not, they had their curtain call towards the end of the Cretaceous period around 74 million years ago the decline became inevitable by the end of that period of time some sixty four million years ago. Science may never know why, without a time machine, what is theorised is that climate change due to whatever instigator, meteorite or global warming boiled the oceans around the equator at about this time and ammonites unable to live at greater depth unlike the nautilus, did not survive the extreme changes of habitat in the oceans nearer more temperate zones. Perhaps the nautili out performed the ammonites for the remaining food resources, presently this is still very much a debate.
SHOP The Look! w/ THE FOSSIL STORE™
So if you haven't already visited THE FOSSIL STORE™ selection of fossil ammonites featured in our web site catalogue Ammonoids, Ammonites. We specialise in Moroccan ammonites, this relates to the size of the ammonites which have been discovered in that region of the globe. Here huge ammonites were regularly culled from vast open spaces of the mountain ranges of the western coast of Morocco, this is not now always possible.
The fact that this particular part of North west Africa has a remarkable deposit of wonderfully large specie ammonites is an anomaly of natural tectonic plate movements, folding and geology, coupled with the vast open spaces Morocco affords from the summit of the high Atlas ranges to the flat ténéré of the desert and the possibility of extraction, nowhere else in the world have these factors been so fortuitously made profit of. And so in these extreme harsh regions the earth bares the fruits of the prehistoric seas.
