A fossilized penis bone from an extinct walrus isn't the usual kind of artifact to hang above the mantel. Maybe that's why it sold at auction for $8,000, far below the expected price.
The 4½-foot-long item, covered with weathered skin and dry muscle tissue, was sold to the company that runs the Ripley's Believe It or Not museums, said Josh Chait, director of operations for the I.M. Chait Gallery, his family's auction house.
The price will run $9,600 when auction fees are included. ``I thought it was a bargain,'' said Chait. It had been expected to fetch $12,000 to $16,000.
The fossilized baculum, or penis bone, is from a species of walrus that went extinct 12,000 years ago. It was found preserved in permafrost in northern Siberia.
The auction house said it was believed to be the largest known mammal penis fossil.
[pant]
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Comments (2)
If it's not fossilized doe... (Below threshold)1. Posted by ts | August 28, 2007 11:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
If it's not fossilized does that eliminate the weird factor? I have one of more recent vintage on my mantle - it's called an oosik by the locals.
1. Posted by ts | August 28, 2007 11:44 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 28, 2007 23:44
2. Posted by leanne | September 8, 2007 12:05 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My Grandpa has an oosik, too..... how weird!!!!
2. Posted by leanne | September 8, 2007 12:05 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 8, 2007 00:05