Lower Jurassic Period, 199-175 million years BP. A sedimentary Lias matrix containing the major portion of the fossil skull of an Ichthyosaur sp. specimen; the skull expertly developed from the matrix and preserving the delicate eye ring together with teeth and part of the lower jaw. 3.4 kg, 21cm (8 1/4"). Property of a Surrey lady; previously in the private collection of Patrick Phillips, Weybridge, Surrey, UK; the collection formed since the early 1970s; thence by descent 2019; from the Blue Lias of the Jurassic Coast, Dorset, UK. Ichthyosaurs (from the Greek, meaning 'fish lizard') are extinct marine reptiles which resembled modern dolphins in appearance; the first complete UK specimen was found by the famous fossil hunter Mary Anning (1799-1847) at just 12 years of age, with her brother Joseph; this fossil is now in the Natural History Museum, London. [No Reserve]