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Auction archive: Lot number 24

AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL CRYSTAL BALL — TRANSITIONAL SEYMCHAN METEORITE SPHERE

Science and Natural History
12 Oct 2021 - 26 Oct 2021
Estimate
£50,000 - £80,000
ca. US$67,962 - US$108,740
Price realised:
£15,000
ca. US$20,388
Auction archive: Lot number 24

AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL CRYSTAL BALL — TRANSITIONAL SEYMCHAN METEORITE SPHERE

Science and Natural History
12 Oct 2021 - 26 Oct 2021
Estimate
£50,000 - £80,000
ca. US$67,962 - US$108,740
Price realised:
£15,000
ca. US$20,388
Beschreibung:

Dazzling crystals of olivine and peridot (birthstone of August) are seen to great effect in this three-dimensional presentation that has been lightly etched to reveal the robust Widmanstätten pattern in the metal. The crystals appear as continents on an otherwordly globe — reminiscent of its parent asteroid having been adrift in the void of interplanetary space. This specimen originates from a meteorite that underwent a number of stages of cutting, grinding and polishing. Supported on base. The most beautiful extraterrestrial substances known are pallasites. They formed at the boundary of the stony mantle and molten core of an asteroid. Upon shattering following an impact with another asteroid, this “borderline” material became liberated, and a bit has landed on Earth. As one would then expect, pallasites are extremely rare and, indeed, they represent less than 0.2% of all known meteorites. The first Seymchan meteorites were found near a streambed in the Magadan district of Siberia — the location of Stalin’s infamous gulags. Most Seymchan meteorites are non-descript, prosaic masses until they are cut to reveal their splendor. Given the amount of material lost during the grinding and polishing processes, to make a sphere of this size requires a mass nearly three times that of the sphere. A sphere provides a view of aspects of structure impossible to see in a flat surface, and now offered is a wondrous three-dimensional presentation of a pallasite — a specimen that can rightfully be considered an otherworldly crystal ball. 3in. (7.6cm.) diameter 1.15kg. Please note this lot is the property of a trader. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.

Auction archive: Lot number 24
Auction:
Datum:
12 Oct 2021 - 26 Oct 2021
Auction house:
Christie's
King Street, St. James's 8
London, SW1Y 6QT
United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 7839 9060
+44 (0)20 73892869
Beschreibung:

Dazzling crystals of olivine and peridot (birthstone of August) are seen to great effect in this three-dimensional presentation that has been lightly etched to reveal the robust Widmanstätten pattern in the metal. The crystals appear as continents on an otherwordly globe — reminiscent of its parent asteroid having been adrift in the void of interplanetary space. This specimen originates from a meteorite that underwent a number of stages of cutting, grinding and polishing. Supported on base. The most beautiful extraterrestrial substances known are pallasites. They formed at the boundary of the stony mantle and molten core of an asteroid. Upon shattering following an impact with another asteroid, this “borderline” material became liberated, and a bit has landed on Earth. As one would then expect, pallasites are extremely rare and, indeed, they represent less than 0.2% of all known meteorites. The first Seymchan meteorites were found near a streambed in the Magadan district of Siberia — the location of Stalin’s infamous gulags. Most Seymchan meteorites are non-descript, prosaic masses until they are cut to reveal their splendor. Given the amount of material lost during the grinding and polishing processes, to make a sphere of this size requires a mass nearly three times that of the sphere. A sphere provides a view of aspects of structure impossible to see in a flat surface, and now offered is a wondrous three-dimensional presentation of a pallasite — a specimen that can rightfully be considered an otherworldly crystal ball. 3in. (7.6cm.) diameter 1.15kg. Please note this lot is the property of a trader. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.

Auction archive: Lot number 24
Auction:
Datum:
12 Oct 2021 - 26 Oct 2021
Auction house:
Christie's
King Street, St. James's 8
London, SW1Y 6QT
United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 7839 9060
+44 (0)20 73892869
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