Rare Elephant Bird Egg Auctioned For More Than Double Its Estimated Value

A rare, completely sub-fossilized egg from the now-extinct elephant bird sold for more than twice its estimated value at an auction at Christie's in London on Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

The egg reportedly sold via telephone after 10 minutes of aggressive bidding to an unnamed buyer for 66,675 British pounds ($101,813).

When the sale of the egg was announced last month, it was estimated to fetch between 20,000 and 30,000 pounds ($35,518 - $45,777).

The pre-17th century egg measures more than 100 times the size on an average chicken, stands at 8¾ inches (21cm) in diameter and 12 inches (30cm) in height. 

According to Christies, the elephant bird was thought to be the giant flying beast known as the Roc (or Ruhk) in the tales of Sinbad and accounts of Marco Polo's voyages. The bird grew to around 10 or 11 feet in height and whilst probably unable to devour an elephant, as the Roc was reputed to do,

Native to Madagascar, Christies reports the creature as largest bird ever to have lived. It was estimated to weigh up to 1,100lbs. The largest ostriches might grow to 8 feet in height and weigh 300lbs,  the auction house said in its lot notes.

The birds are thought to have gone extinct between the 14th and 17th centuries.

In the same auction a bone fragment of a dodo femur that was highly publicized when the sale was announced last month underperformed, fetching £8,125 ($12,391); it was expected to commanded between £10,000 - £15,000 ($15,250 - $22,875).