A large end piece from the main mass. The polished face displays an attractive salt-and-pepper-like panorama of silvery metal grains separated by darker silicates and silicate-rich clasts.

The mesosiderites are arguably the most enigmatic group of meteorites and scientists actively debate their formation. In short – scientists still don’t know how they formed. They possess a mixture of crustal silicates mixed with lots of metal. The metal was likely molten when it was mixed with the crustal silicates. Even more confusing is the fact that the metal shows that these meteorites cooled very slowly, only one degree every million years. This specimen is a spectacular example of a mesosiderite, Northwest Africa 1827. This is a rare type of mesosiderite that doesn’t match many others. It is part of a new subgroup called C2. It lacks olivine and the nickel content of the iron is unusually low. Large mesosiderites are rare and this one is among the larger pieces found. About 80 kilograms of this meteorite have been recovered, mostly as small fragments.

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.
315 mm x 210 mm x 40 mm (12¹⁄₂ x 8¹⁄₄ x 1¹⁄₂ in.)
4.9kg.

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.