Pulled the pin on a Keichousaurus

[davej 0]

Long time lurker here, figured it was time to sign up!

I have been reading up on Keichousaurus out of China and how some are fakes and others are real fossils. 

Decided to pull the pin and pick one up, hope I made the right choice. 

The one toe that seems detached and the way the sternum bones are offset just seem too much work to fake. (I hope)

Also the way the tail isn't perfect bone for bone

Seller has a multitude of positive feedback.

Please feel free to give your opinion.

Edited July 20 by davej

[FossilDudeCO 497]

I think you did pretty well there!

@steelhead9 has experience with these little guys.

[JohnBrewer 410]

That's pretty cool. I hope you didn't get it exported from China as vertebrates are illegal to export. 

[Aurelius 44]

Tiny photos, but it looks much better than the usual examples.

[Seguidora-de-Isis 69]

The calcite veins cross the entire length of the matrix rock in a harmonious and quite pleasant way. The matrix rock is also perfectly compatible in coloring and texture with the other Guizhou rocks in China, where these fossil reptiles are fairly common, abundant and found in the thousands. I wish I had a photo of the tail end. But for these photos, in my opinion, I can say that some phalanges are painted. Usually sellers sell from Hong Kong, so they manage to circumvent the laws and send them out of the country. But a general assessment, just for these photos, I consider it an excellent specimen and I do not see any kind of red flag here, except for some painted phalanges.

[Foozil 79]

7 minutes ago, Seguidora-de-Isis said:

except for some painted phalanges.

Just curious, but what ones are painted on?

[snolly50 745]

I find the disarticulations and the partially occluded head to be supportive of a natural fossil. Scrutiny with a 10X loupe will reveal any paint embellishment. I like it.

[Seguidora-de-Isis 69]

18 minutes ago, Foozil said:

Just curious, but what ones are painted on?

 

It is particularly difficult to give an opinion without having the fossil in hand, or a photo that is of good quality, preferably with the well-lit specimen. But I tend to suspect very straight phalanges with no anatomical definition. I agree with snolly50. Here would be a magnifying glass of 10X would be very welcome to eliminate these doubts... And I also agree with Aurelius, it is a well defined specimen above those that are usually announced.

 

 

[davej 0]

Thanks for the input, it's much appreciated!

If a few of the phalanges are painted on and its noticeable I will might see if I cant just clean them up and remove them.

Not too worried about anatomically perfect, just want a nice specimen.

Here is a larger pic of the tail

 

Here is a larger picture of the photo posted earlier.

Edited July 21 by davej

[davej 0]

2 hours ago, snolly50 said:

I find the disarticulations and the partially occluded head to be supportive of a natural fossil. Scrutiny with a 10X loupe will reveal any paint embellishment. I like it.

 

I agree that is what attracted me to this one.

Its not your typical perfectly splayed out specimen, seems more natural.

I'll post up some better pics once its in my hands!

[The Speeding Carno 26]

The unusual position gives it charm as well as speaks to it being real! Congrats, it's a gorgeous specimen!

[aplomado 46]

Really interesting pose on this one. Post better pics when you get it!

[davej 0]

Been super busy with work so took a while to get back here.

Shipping was awesome , I received it just 7 days after making payment.

I am very happy with my purchase, no signs of paint anywhere.

Everyting is three dimensional a has different texture to surrounding matrix.

I could see where original matrix is still between neck vertebrae, and the way some of the bone has fractured.

It all looks real to me. If its fake this guy is pretty amazing at it.

 

[ynot 1,946]

Nice!

[aplomado 46]

Sweet!

[steelhead9 88]

You got a good one! Phalanges are not painted, although small sections on some are carved from matrix.