EXTRATERRESTRIAL MINIMALIST ABSTRACT FORM — NWA 6726 METEORITE

Lot 66
23.02.2021 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 22 500
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 491276
Lot 66 | EXTRATERRESTRIAL MINIMALIST ABSTRACT FORM — NWA 6726 METEORITE
Estimate value
$ 10 000 – 15 000
Meteorites almost never look like the specimen now offered. Smooth arcs delimiting a gently curved form with an enticing textured surface are characteristic of only a handful of meteorites. Found in the Sahara Desert in late 2010, NWA 6726 is a carbonaceous chondrite, the single most studied meteorite variety. Some contain particles scientists believe were created prior to the formation of our solar system; others contain water as well as organic compounds such as amino acids, alcohols and hydrocarbons.

NWA 6726 contains about 35% fine-grained silicate matrix, essentially compacted nebular dust dating from the earliest stages of solar system history. The range of petrologic types for the CO subgroup, of which NWA 6726 is also a member, range from 3.0 (primitive and largely unaltered) to 3.8 (somewhat metamorphosed). NWA 6726 is type 3.2, at the lower, more-primitive end of the scale — much like the compelling primitive shape of the specimen now offered.

This is an enthralling example of an exotic meteorite containing constituents from the beginning of the solar system. Weighing precisely three pounds, this smooth, abstract form and its crenellated texture is the result of both its composition and its exposure to Earth’s elements — primarily sandblasting by desert winds for untold generations. A camel-hued clay-line revealing its orientation while seated in the Sahara is in evidence.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue.


114 x 110 x 89mm (4.5 x 4.33 x 3.5 in.) and 1369g (3.0 lbs).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
09.02.2021 – 23.02.2021
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed
?>