In a curated setting at the The Tile Gallery showroom, architects, designers, and media guests were transported into the immersive world of Italian contemporary lighting brand Lodes, where light illuminated the space through sculptural forms and innovative materiality. The Language of Light event presented a selection of Lodes’ established collections alongside new releases, revealing the […]
Stegosaurus Skeleton Sets a New Record at Sotheby Auction
Recommended Video
Tap to Unmute
Unmute
0:00
0:00
Sotheby’s in New York recently sold a stegosaurus skeleton for $44.6 million, setting a record sale for a dinosaur skeleton and exceeding the original estimates for the fossil.
The stegosaurus, named Apex, was excavated in Moffat County, Colorado between 2022 and 2023. This dinosaur fossil dates back during the Late Jurassic Period around 150 million years ago. The commercial paleontologist on the case, Jason Cooper, worked with Sotheby’s to ensure the sellability of the skeleton.
According to Sotheby’s, Apex stood at around 11 feet high and 27 feet long. It contained 254 fossil bone elements “with additional 3D printed and sculpted elements.” They psed the skeleton in an “attack position,” and uses individual holding brackets to make it easier to transport to and from different places.
Sotheby’s did not name the buyer’s identity, though the New York Times identified him as hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin. In the press release from the auction house, they implied that the buyer will loan the skeleton to a U.S. institution to display.
“Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America!” Griffin reportedly said.
Beating Stan the T.rex
The sale beats the previous record holder, Stan the T.rex, which sold for $31.8 million by Christie’s auction house in 2020. Amateur paleontologist Stan Sacrison discovered Stan in 1987. At the time, the dinosaur fossil earned the title of the second most complete T.rex skeleton found with 199 bones.
The 39-foot skeleton includes one of the most well-preserved dinosaur skulls in existence. Stan’s whereabouts was unknown for years after the auction, worrying scientists about the loss of an important fossil.
A report in 2022, however, showed the fossil shipped to the United Arab Emirates in 2022 and earmarked for display at the Natural History Museum of Abu Dhabi.
“These are awe-inspiring gifts from nature that we are proud to share with the world — unlocking millions of years of knowledge to not only advance scientific discovery but to inspire our children to protect our planet’s future,” Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak from Abu Dhabi’s Department of Tourism and Culture said.
Commercialization of Fossils?
Sotheby’s expressed excitement over the record sale, with Global Head of Science & Popular Culture Cassandra Hatton calling it the “most valuable” fossil that “inspired bidders globally” to own and better preserve this skeleton.
“I am thrilled that such an important specimen has now taken its place in history, some 150 million years since it roamed the planet. This remarkable result underscores our unwavering commitment to preserving these ancient treasures,” she said.
The sale of Apex comes after a lull in dinosaur skeleton sales after Stan, whose record 2020 sale pushed auction houses towards attempting more record-breaking sales of fossils—and falling short largely due to controversies regarding authenticities of the fossils.
However, the current swatch of bidding over dinosaur skeletons continues to worry scientists around the world. Many believe that this will make fossils too expensive to be acquired by museums around the world. Others also questioned whether the money used for the buy-outs could be used for more scientific research.
“$44.6 million for a stegosaurus?” paleontologist Jingmai O’Connor said. “Sorry, the paleontologists around me are laughing. With $44 million to scientists, we could move forward our understanding of dinosaurs by decades.”
Related reading: Russian Billionaire Charged Double for Artwork, Accuses Sotheby’s of Fraud
Once defined primarily by function, the bathroom is now becoming a space that reflects personal lifestyles. As broader design aspirations change in response, so do expectations of the products that shape these spaces. From customizable fixtures to touchless technologies, today’s bathroom solutions are increasingly designed around the way people live. COTTO’s KLIRR Collection highlights several […]
Many people only notice good design when it is absent. A faucet that splashes too far, feels awkward in the hand, or sits slightly out of alignment can disrupt a routine in ways that are subtle yet persistent. These are small irritations, but they reveal a larger truth: the objects used every day often have […]
Running from November 27, 2025, to May 31, 2026, the exhibition traces how Art Deco moved from global design movement to localized expression through Philippine architecture, furnishings, fashion, and everyday life. The National Museum of Fine Arts’ Art Deco: Modernity and Design in the Philippines 1925-1950 explored the history of the Art Deco style in […]
Flooring can profoundly influence how a space is experienced. Long before furniture and finishes are introduced, the floor establishes a visual field that shapes movement, light, and proportion. This is where large-format tiles are particularly effective. By reducing the number of grout lines across a floor or wall, they create a more continuous surface. The […]
Since setting up her design firm, MB Architecture Studio, in 2007, Ar. Micaela Benedicto has built a diverse portfolio of architectural projects. Her works, whether residential or commercial, showcase a distinct spatial quality, “I like to create things that can go from something static to something that is alive and reactive,” Benedicto states. “In creating […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]