LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE - photo 1
LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE - photo 2
LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE - photo 3
LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE - photo 4

LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE

Lot 27
06.04.2022 14:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 27 720
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 737516
Lot 27 | LARGE ENDPIECE OF SEYMCHAN PALLASITE
Estimate value
£ 30 000 – 50 000
This large endcut is expertly cut, polished, and etched. The etch reveals the distinctive Widmänstatten pattern of the nickel-rich iron: this silvery iron beautifully contrasts with and encloses the gemmy peridot, producing a stunning extraterrestrial masterpiece.

A geological exploration to Siberia in 1967 found a large meteorite. The meteorite was dominated by nickel-rich iron showing the distinctive Widmänstatten pattern, and was classified as an iron meteorite. Later expeditions uncovered a large strewn field, resulting in the recovery of many tons of meteorites. Surprisingly, many of the new finds showed the presence of distinctive honey-brown to green crystals of gemmy peridot. This meteorite is in fact a pallasite, and hence is much rarer than an iron meteorite. It is one of the largest pallasite strewn fields on Earth. Seymchan is a stunningly beautiful meteorite, the gemmy peridot crystals run the spectrum from nearly brown to emerald green. The Seymchan strewn field is hundreds of kilometers from the nearest settlement and is only accessible via helicopter. Expeditions to the site are only possible for about one month per year due to the harsh Siberian weather. Seymchan is extremely stable. For that reason, it has been used extensively in jewelry production, which has consumed a large amount of the material. The last several expeditions produced very few finds and, due to the high cost of each expedition, it is unlikely that more will be undertaken. It is now almost impossible to find large pieces of the Seymchan pallasite on the market, and as a result, prices have risen dramatically.

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.
295 mm x 225 mm x 90 mm (111/2 x 87/8 x 31/2 in.)
8.9kg.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
23.03.2022 – 06.04.2022
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

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.
×
Save this search query and get timely email alerts! It is simple and very effective.
david o'kane
Create a Search Subscription