http://historical.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=5000&Lot_No=48368
CAVE BEAR SKELETON
Ursus uralensis
Pleistocene
Russia
The Ice Age cave bear was the largest of all bears, related to but
out sizing today's modern black, brown and polar bears. This imposing
example represents a virtually complete bear skeleton mounted in
attack position and although it has been articulated using the fossil
bones from several individuals it is scientifically accurate, with
little restoration and well-preserved enamel to the teeth. Beyond
differences to the form of the skull it is strikingly similar to the
European Ursus spelaeus, but the Russian "cave" bear may not in fact
have been a true cave-dweller; although many of their remains have
been recovered from caves in the Ural mountains, it has been
suggested that the bears gathered in numbers in such shelter for the
hibernation period, from about 300,000 to 10,000 years ago. This
museum-quality display specimen has been finely prepared and measures
an impressive 98 inches high on its metal armature and display stand.
Estimate: $16,000 - $20,000.
Photo at web site above.
- Pete
