Iron, Group IVA, fine octahedriteGibeon, Great Nama Land, Namibia (25°23' S, 17°47' E)

Lot Description:
The gunmetal-hued exterior convex surface of the meteorite is embellished with extended crests and troughs while the naturally flat surfaces of its interior evidence cleavage along metallic crystalline planes. Gibeon is classified as an octahedrite; the angle between intersecting planes of an octahedron is close to 110° and the longitudinal ridge intersecting the two planes seen here is almost precisely that in this singularly captivating example of the interior and exterior of an iron meteorite.
122 x 87 x 53mm (4.75 x 3.5 x 2 in.)
1.242kg (2.75 lbs)

Although familiar to indigenous natives who had hammered small pieces into weapons and tools, the Gibeon meteorite was not known to westerners until about 1836. Gibeon crystallized in the iron core of a melted asteroid. An enormous impact event shattered this asteroid and ejected the Gibeon mass into interplanetary space where it wandered for millions of years until it impacted Earth. Due to a relatively high nickel content of about 8% Gibeon is ductile and not prone to oxidizing. When cut and etched, Gibeons exhibit a fine-octahedral latticework that showcases the crystalline structure of its metallic alloys. Some of the most aesthetic meteorites known are Gibeons (see previous lot) and now offered is a superior example of a Gibeon crystalline fragment.

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.