Christie's launches its inaugural Groundbreakers: Icons of Our Time auction on 11 December 2025, celebrating cultural innovation from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Headlining the sale is Spike (est. £3,000,000–5,000,000), an exceptionally preserved Caenagnathid dinosaur. Measuring 199.5 x 198.5 x 67 cm, it is one of the most complete Caenagnathid specimens ever discovered. The specimen appears to display morphological features that are distinct from those of previously known Caenagnathids.
A recent discovery from the 2022 field season, Spike, comprises approximately 100 beautifully preserved fossil bones that tell the story of a sub-adult dinosaur that is 68 million years in the making. It has recently been determined that this family of dinosaurs were heavily feathered, and a rare marking on Spike's wrist might be further evidence of this. Since the first Caenagnathid was published in 1940, only a handful of comparable specimens have been discovered – and none have ever come to auction until now.
Main Image: Spike, Caenagnathid dinosaur, Late Cretaceous (c. 68 million years ago). Est. £3,000,000–5,000,000.