Meteorites almost never look like the specimen now offered. Smooth arcs delimiting a gently curved form with an enticing textured surface are characteristic of only a handful of meteorites. Found in the Sahara Desert in late 2010, NWA 6726 is a carbonaceous chondrite, the single most studied meteorite variety. Some contain particles scientists believe were created prior to the formation of our solar system; others contain water as well as organic compounds such as amino acids, alcohols and hydrocarbons.

NWA 6726 contains about 35% fine-grained silicate matrix, essentially compacted nebular dust dating from the earliest stages of solar system history. The range of petrologic types for the CO subgroup, of which NWA 6726 is also a member, range from 3.0 (primitive and largely unaltered) to 3.8 (somewhat metamorphosed). NWA 6726 is type 3.2, at the lower, more-primitive end of the scale — much like the compelling primitive shape of the specimen now offered.

This is an enthralling example of an exotic meteorite containing constituents from the beginning of the solar system. Weighing precisely three pounds, this smooth, abstract form and its crenellated texture is the result of both its composition and its exposure to Earth’s elements — primarily sandblasting by desert winds for untold generations. A camel-hued clay-line revealing its orientation while seated in the Sahara is in evidence.

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.


114 x 110 x 89mm (4.5 x 4.33 x 3.5 in.) and 1369g (3.0 lbs).