A "BUTTON" TEKTITE - photo 1
A "BUTTON" TEKTITE - photo 2
A "BUTTON" TEKTITE - photo 3
A "BUTTON" TEKTITE - photo 4
A "BUTTON" TEKTITE - photo 5
A "BUTTON" TEKTITE - photo 6
A "BUTTON" TEKTITE - photo 7
A "BUTTON" TEKTITE - photo 8
A "BUTTON" TEKTITE - photo 9

A "BUTTON" TEKTITE

Lot 39
25.05.2021 13:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 2 500
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 543582
Lot 39 | A "BUTTON" TEKTITE
Estimate value
£ 3 000 – 5 000
Of oblate spherical form, the aerodyamically shaped specimen of Australite is the result of surface tension causing the silicate melt to minimize its shape, this dark impact glass is accented a single concentric groove and a naturally smooth surface evoking a button, supported on custom stand.

The origin of such silicate glass formations was long considered a mystery. Today scientists agree the phenomena, occurs when an asteroid impacts Earth. The extraordinary heat and pressure resulting from such a cataclysmic collision liquifies terrestrial rocks, which are the splashed into the upper atmosphere, and return to Earth as solidified glass.
Tektites are named after the locality in which they are found, hence: Australites, Indochinites, Philippinites, Moldoavites, Libyan Desert Glass, etc. The greater the silica content contained in the slash, the lighter the colour. A tektite’s shape is aerodynamically determined and is the result of the altitude the molten material is splashed into the sky, subsequent ablation, its degree of orientation (whether it’s inverting as it cools and plunges earthward) and its speed of rotation as it penetrates the atmosphere. Now offered is a wonderful example of the parabolic curve and button form that inspired the shape of the Apollo re-entry craft.

19mm. in diameter
21/2 in. (6.5cm.) high on stand

4g.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
05.05.2021 – 25.05.2021
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.