Oreodont Skull - Any Restoration?

[Bguild 162]

Hi Everyone,

 

I stumbled across this Oreodont (Leptauchenia) skull that I'm interested in. I don't see any obvious signs of restoration, but wanted to run it by you folks to get some second opinions. Does anyone see any signs of restoration that I may have missed?

 

Thanks as always!

 

 

[caldigger 6,173]

I'm not seeing any newer added material here, which is what is commonly done to these to fill in missing bone structure.

Its looking pretty whole to these eyes.

[Tidgy's Dad 9,819]

Looks good to me, though I'm no expert. 

[TyBoy 322]

Im not sure you are going to be able to tell real good resto work with these photos.    Would require hand inspection to really determine what has been done.

 

@jpc

[steelhead9 418]

The top of the nose is definitely restored. Likely some of the sagittal crest and a bit on the tops of the zygomatic arches. Also seems there may have been some work on the incisors and the backs of the mandibles. All very typical areas on this species, and, as leptauchenias go, this is a pretty nice one. Good, clear closeups of these areas would be more definitive.

[caldigger 6,173]

1 hour ago, steelhead9 said:

The top of the nose is definitely restored. Likely some of the sagittal crest and a bit on the tops of the zygomatic arches. Also seems there may have been some work on the incisors and the backs of the mandibles. All very typical areas on this species, and, as leptauchenias go, this is a pretty nice one. Good, clear closeups of these areas would be more definitive.

Well I never said my eyes were very good! 

[Bguild 162]

 

3 hours ago, steelhead9 said:

The top of the nose is definitely restored. Likely some of the sagittal crest and a bit on the tops of the zygomatic arches. Also seems there may have been some work on the incisors and the backs of the mandibles. All very typical areas on this species, and, as leptauchenias go, this is a pretty nice one. Good, clear closeups of these areas would be more definitive.

 

Thanks for the input! I can see the area of the nose you're referring to now. Here's a couple more images.

 

I'm okay with a little restoration if it's done well. I'm more trying to avoid a skull that's heavily restored, like you often see online.

 

[snolly50 2,640]

Of course as indicated, there is no substitute for in-hand assessment. Does the seller offer a return option? As others have mentioned, the little guys snoot looks odd to me. Then again I have no direct experience with this small branch of the Oreodont clan. 

 

All that being said, I like the way it displays. If I were in the market, I would certainly buy it; if the price was right (snolly is notoriously cheap). A good price and the option to return, if initial inspection proved unsatisfactory; would be my triggers to jump.  Good luck, have fun.

[Nimravis 4,968]

If you do buy it, and if there is a return policy, hit it with a black light when you receive it and it will show you anyplace that restoration has been done. For some reason I have a feeling that this thing might light up like a Christmas tree, but that's just my opinion.

[steelhead9 418]

It is very rare to find any leptauchenia that does not have significant restoration. I guess they must have tasted better than other oreodon. In my opinion, and I have prepped quite a lot of them, this one seems slightly above average. Price would be a determining factor here. I am leaving for Tucson tomorrow. I know a dealer there who has some really great leptauchenias. I prepped them all so I can give you a very accurate description of any restoration. PM me if you are interested in seeing photos. I am sure, especially at the beginning of the show, that they will be very pricey. 

[Coco 1,276]

@JPC

 

Coco

[jpc 2,226]

wow... two people mentioned me.  I am going to disappoint you two.  While I cannot disagree with the observations on the nose and sagittal crest, it is pretty tough to say for sure in photos.  This specimen does have a lot of colors in it, so any bad paint jobs would be even harder to tell.  It looks like a good specimen and any restoration is not blatant.   

 

PS... I love Leptauchenia.... so cute.  

[Joe_17 44]

I thought i recognized this specimen. Ive seen it online. Let us know if you end up buying it.

[Ptychodus04 3,293]

17 hours ago, jpc said:

wow... two people mentioned me.

If you weren't so good at what you do, you could live in blissful anonymity like the rest of us.

[Bguild 162]

Thanks everyone for taking a look! Definitely scrutinizing this skull more than I previously had been.

[jpc 2,226]

2 hours ago, Ptychodus04 said:

If you weren't so good at what you do, you could live in blissful anonymity like the rest of us.

blushing... but did you notice the useless answer I gave?  

[Ptychodus04 3,293]

2 hours ago, jpc said:

blushing... but did you notice the useless answer I gave?  

I did but it was so well crafted that I actually believed it was useful.

[Aurelius 405]

Enhanced or not, that is a STUNNING piece.

[Barby 12]

nice piece... nose tip and tops of zygs look repaired-- but this type of repair is an enhancement, rather than a detriment, in my opinion. I've never prepped an oreo which did not need some kind of minor work.They must have been delicious! This one appears to have a few "chaw nicks"! Nice dentition...