A rich coverage of beautiful rounded rhodochrosite growths, presenting on a large plate. Given the age of the specimen, the near pristine condition is surprising. Japan was once well known for its treasures of minerals and crystals, although most mining was done in the late 19th century and early 20th, so specimens of importance are mostly in museums or collections built during that era. Few large, museum-quality and museum-sized examples survive, and fewer still will ever be on the market. Recently, a few large collections of these antique Japanese minerals have come to market in Japan itself as they transit the generations, providing a rare chance for today's collectors of the current generation to obtain a mineral that was once an essential collection classic, and yet has not been available for a generation or more. The specimen is larger and finer than those shown in the National Museum of Japan, Tokyo; and is as important. From the historic Oppu Mine, Nishimeya-mura, Nakatsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. On a custom molded lucite display base.
12¼ x 10¼ x 2⅜ in. (31.0 x 26.0 x 6.0 cm.)
4.5 kg.