EXTRATERRESTRIAL CRYSTAL BALL — CAMPO DEL CIELO METEORITE SPHERE - photo 1

EXTRATERRESTRIAL CRYSTAL BALL — CAMPO DEL CIELO METEORITE SPHERE

Lot 10
25.08.2020 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 6 250
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 389953
Lot 10 | EXTRATERRESTRIAL CRYSTAL BALL — CAMPO DEL CIELO METEORITE SPHERE
Estimate value
$ 2 000 – 3 000
Lot Description:
This sphere reveals in three dimensions the beautiful crystalline pattern that is characteristic of the best Campo del Cielo meteorites. The pattern is diagnostic in the identification of an iron meteorite and this example evidences especially robust character. Modern fashioning.
54mm (2 in.) diameter
737g (1.66 lbs)

Showcasing the internal crystalline splendor of an iron meteorite by fashioning into a sphere. Campo del Cielo (“Valley of the Sky”) meteorites are the result of a collision between two asteroids in interplanetary space. When a large fragment from one of these asteroids hit Earth’s upper atmosphere 6,000 years ago, the pressure caused it to explode and break into thousands of pieces. The larger meteorites struck the ground at such a high velocity that an array of 26 impact craters formed, the largest measuring a football field across. Campo del Cielo meteorites were first documented in 1576 by Spanish conquistadors in what is now Argentina, when the meteorites unearthly origins were not yet understood, and can be found today in the finest museums in the world. When cut and etched, Campo del Cielo meteorites exhibit an octahedral latticework of its two principal alloys, troilite and taenite. This exquisite natural design is known as a Widmanstätten pattern. As this pattern does not appear in terrestrial iron ores, its presence is diagnostic in the identification of iron meteorites. This specimen was hewn from a larger meteorite that underwent a number of stages of cutting, grinding and polishing in a sphere-making apparatus.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
12.08.2020 – 25.08.2020
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.