Pallasite — PMG; Habaswein / Sericho, Kenya

The pocketed surface with natural cavities and caverns, giving the overall appearance of an asteroid. Draped in desert patina.

The Sericho pallasite formed at the mantle-core boundary of an asteroid about 4.5 billion years ago. Deep inside the asteroid, molten metal from the outer core mixed with chunks of the olivine mantle that had already crystallized. Things remained quiet for Sericho until a major collision shattered the asteroid; this event and subsequent, less energetic collisions set Sericho pallasite material on a collision course with Earth — and more specifically, 200 miles northeast of what is now Nairobi, Kenya. The strewn field was discovered by camel herders, and the stony-iron rocks were first identified as meteorites in 2016; it is currently unclear when this meteorite shower occurred, but it is at least decades old.

Of this example Michael Farmer says: “Sericho is a massive pallasite, the largest known. I was first to the site and brought this meteorite to market. I acquired several tons, and was able to select the best pieces long before anyone else knew it existed. I bought all the surface pieces, many with fusion crust. Unique piece with a flat round shape, like a wheel. The only one I ever saw like this. That’s why I kept it for my collection.”

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.
380 mm x 370 mm x 140 mm (15 x 14¹⁄₂ x 5¹⁄₂ in.)
48kg.

This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.
This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.