WALL ART

Fossil leaf and scallop shell plaques, Paleocene period and Miocene era

This fossil leaf plaque and fossilised scallop shell are natural history objects that lend themselves to being put up on the wall or placed on a mantelpiece. The leaf plaque, 37.5cm wide, was formed around 64 million years ago in the Paleocene era, and features fossilised leaves of Davidia antiqua and Viburnum asperum, dug from the Fort Union Formation in Montana, USA. It sold for £2,375 at Christie’s last autumn. The scallop shell, 9cm wide, is from the Miocene era, and cost £380 at Summers Place Auctions at its Natural History sale last June.