DRONINO METEORITE WITH CUT AND POLISHED FACE, Iron, ataxite (ungrouped) Ryazan district, Russia

Idiosyncratic to Dronino meteorites is what is among the most unusual stippled textures of a meteorite known to exist. A platinum-hued surface wraps much of this attenuated meteorite’s perimeter. The top edge is trimmed and in the cut and polished face of this meteorite’s matrix, Dronino’s signature sulfide beads are evident. Accompanied by a custom armature, this is a decorative example of a most atypical meteorite. Modern cutting.
137 x 39 x 51mm. (5⅓ x 1½ x 2in.)

589.6g. (1⅓lbs.)

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Lot Essay

First discovered by a mushroom hunter in 2000, specimens of the Dronino meteorite shower belong to the exclusive “ungrouped” population of iron meteorites. Dronino was found outside an ancient town founded in 1152, but nothing was ever written about what would have been the exceedingly memorable event of a fireball, sonic booms or a massive impact. As such, it’s likely Dronino's arrival occurred when the area was unpopulated. Given the high degree of terrestrial weathering (which is responsible for the meteorite’s exceedingly unusual exterior surface texture), a descent to Earth more than a millennium ago can be confidently inferred. While 90% of iron meteorites are members of established chemical groups, the other 10% are chemically unrelated to other specimens and originate from unknown asteroids. Dronino is the offspring of one such mysterious heavenly body.

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 catalog note.

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