NWA 2965 — A FOSSIL METEORITE — AN EVOCATIVE DISPLAY OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF AN ENSTATITE CHONDRITE - photo 1

NWA 2965 — A FOSSIL METEORITE — AN EVOCATIVE DISPLAY OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF AN ENSTATITE CHONDRITE

Lot 44
25.08.2020 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 8 125
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 389988
Lot 44 | NWA 2965 — A FOSSIL METEORITE — AN EVOCATIVE DISPLAY OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF AN ENSTATITE CHONDRITE
Estimate value
$ 8 000 – 12 000
Lot Description:
The cut flat and polished surface is primarily rendered in dark variegated earth tones. Long veins primarily composed of iron-rich oxides, hydroxides and clay transverse the length of the specimen. Patches of less-weathered zones are seen at the upper-right and bottom of the mass. The exterior surface is furrowed in milk to dark chocolate hues dappled with tan and light grey accents. It resembles the bark of some specimens of petrified wood — the result of terrestrialization on Earth and the onset of secondary mineral phases in the fossilization process.
269 x 168 x 99mm (10.66 x 6.66 x 4 in.)
5.849kg (12.75 lbs)

A rare fossil meteorite that originates from a meteorite shower that occurred approximately 23,000 years ago. First discovered in 2004 this meteorite originates from the large meteorite shower that occurred approximately 23,000 years ago. NWA 2965 experienced so much weathering (terrestrialization) during its lengthy stay on Earth, at first glance it does not appear to be a meteorite. However, its chemistry insists otherwise and scientific analysis has shown the mass from which this meteorite originates experienced a massive shock event in interplanetary space. While there are other enstatite impact melts, this meteorite is unique in that it is vesicular. As a result of extensive weathering, secondary phases of NWA 2965’s minerology developed. As this altered the meteorite’s bulk chemistry, this meteorite is rightly referred to as a fossil meteorite.

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.