A SCULPTURAL DRONINO METEORITE,

A SCULPTURAL DRONINO METEORITE
DISCOVERED IN THE RYAZAN DISTRICT, RUSSIA, 2000
This is a splendid specimen of the Dronino meteorite event. The wavy, textured surface embossed in a platinum-hued patina is derived from the interaction of the specimen’s unique geochemistry with that of Earth’s, along with ongoing exposure to the elements over a period of centuries. This is a highly decorative and most unconventional meteorite. Supported on fitted stand.
13 x 5½ x 1¾in. (33.1 x 13.9 x 4.3cm.)
17in. (43cm.) high on stand
3.8kg

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Lot Essay

Aesthetic Dronino Meteorite

First discovered by a mushroom hunter in 2000, specimens of the Dronino meteorite shower belong to the rare “ungrouped” population of iron meteorites. While 89% of iron meteorites are members of established chemical groups, the other 11% of recovered iron meteorites are chemically unrelated to other specimens. Dronino is one of these unusual, ungrouped irons. It was discovered 20 km from the town of Kasimov which was founded in 1152. As nothing was ever written about what would have been, without a doubt, an extremely memorable event of a fireball, smoke trails and sonic booms, it’s likely the Dronino event occurred when the area was unpopulated. In addition, given the high degree of terrestrial weathering (the result of which are specimens whose morphology is unique to Dronino), a descent to Earth more than a millennium ago can be confidently inferred.

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.