A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
Lot Essay
The large stone meteorite now offered, NWA 11584 was found approximately 18 months ago in the Sahara Desert by Berber nomads and later sold to a Moroccan meteorite dealer. It is the 11,584th meteorite to be recovered from the North West African grid of the Sahara Desert to be analyzed and classified. The analysis was conducted by former NASA researcher and current director of the Institute of Meteoritics, Dr. Carl Agee.
Originating from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, it is unclear whether the cleavage on the front face of NWA 11584 occurred as a result of the pressure experienced while plunging through the atmosphere on its descent, or as a result of a rough landing on Earth. Reflective metal flakes cover the front surface and the fine filigree of impact melt courses throughout—the result of a high-impact collision at cosmic velocity in interplanetary space. Providing contrasting character, fusion crust blankets much of the reverse.
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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Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
Overall in excellent condition. Please note that weights and dimensions are approximate only. Proper handling and humidity control are easy to accommodate and will ensure condition is maintained, please contact the department if you would like further advice on how to live with meteorites in your collection.
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Lot 17Sale 16596
Chondrite – L5
Sahara Desert, North West AfricaLARGE DECORATIVE STONE METEORITE NWA 11584Estimate: USD 25,000 - 40,000
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