EXTRATERRESTRIAL GEMS IN A LARGE PARTIAL SLICE OF ESQUEL PALLASITE — THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OTHERWORLDLY SUBSTANCE KNOWN - photo 1

EXTRATERRESTRIAL GEMS IN A LARGE PARTIAL SLICE OF ESQUEL PALLASITE — THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OTHERWORLDLY SUBSTANCE KNOWN

Lot 7
25.08.2020 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 37 500
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 389950
Lot 7 | EXTRATERRESTRIAL GEMS IN A LARGE PARTIAL SLICE OF ESQUEL PALLASITE — THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OTHERWORLDLY SUBSTANCE KNOWN
Estimate value
$ 15 000 – 25 000
Lot Description:
This is a partial slice of a meteorite from the mantle/core boundary of an asteroid. The crest of this partial slice is a rim of the meteorite’s exterior surface. The sides sloping downwards are cut. The bottom edge not seen in the pedestal is irregular and the partial slice itself is slightly beveled. Copious translucent olivine and peridot are suspended in the metallic matrix. Both sides of the specimen are polished to a mirror finish. This captivating example of the most dazzling extraterrestrial substance known is accompanied by a custom pedestal. A catalog number on the edge of a cut face reads, “WZ 184”. Modern finishing.
163 x 207 x 3mm (6.33 x 8 x 0.1 in.)
444.1g (1 lb)

Pallasites are the most dazzling extraterrestrial substances known, and Esquel is among the most coveted. Esquel’s highly translucent olivine crystals were not heavily shocked; they range in hue from amber to emerald. This specimen also contains gem-quality olivine or peridot (the semi-precious birthstone of August). Pallasites formed at the core-mantle boundary of an asteroid after stony olivine (a magnesium-rich silicate mineral) mingled with the molten metal core. When this asteroid broke apart following a catastrophic collision with another asteroid, pallasites were liberated from the deep interior and flung into interplanetary space. Some material eventually drifted into an Earth-crossing orbit. This partial slice has a Macovich Collection provenance — as does the giant complete slice of Esquel on display at the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth & Space. As a result of their sheer beauty, pallasites, which constitute just 0.2% of all known meteorites, are the most sought after of all meteorite types (see lots 1, 14 & 26), and Esquel is regarded by all to be among the most preeminent.

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.
?>