IRON, COARSEST OCTAHEDRITE – IIAB MARITIME TERRITORY, SIBERIA, RUSSIA (46°9' N, 134°39' E)

A SIKHOTE-ALIN METEORITE—ENIGMATIC INDIVIDUAL FROM THE LARGEST METEORITE SHOWER IN HUMAN HISTORY “HENRY MOORE”

Accompanied by terrifying sonic detonations, it was at 10.30AM on February 12, 1947 that the sky seemed ablaze above the Sikhote-Alin Mountains of Siberia. Prior to atmospheric entry, this meteorite was traveling at a cosmic velocity of 10-15 miles per second. And then frictional superheating commenced in Earth’s upper atmosphere. In effect, the hottest of torches—with temperatures rivaling the surface of the sun—sculpted this meteorite into the compelling object presently offered. Given it’s smooth character throughout, this specimen did not result from the low-atmospheric explosion associated with this event. Conversely, a meteorite this size should have much smaller thumbprints. Evocative of a Henry Moore sculpture, the genesis of this specimen’s unusual morphology is both unusual and unclear. From the most terrifying meteorite shower in modern times, this is a pocketful of wonder and a mesmerizing meteorite.

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 note.