Lot 26
Lot 26
SCULPTURE FROM OUTER SPACE — AESTHETIC CAMPO DEL CIELO IRON METEORITE

Iron coarse octahedrite – IAB-MG; Gran Chaco, Argentina

Price Realised GBP 18,900
Estimate
GBP 15,000 - GBP 25,000
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SCULPTURE FROM OUTER SPACE — AESTHETIC CAMPO DEL CIELO IRON METEORITE

Iron coarse octahedrite – IAB-MG; Gran Chaco, Argentina

Price Realised GBP 18,900
Price Realised GBP 18,900
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The surface covered with regmaglypts the telltale thumbprints that result from atmospheric frictional heating. The ridges are smooth and the surface texture is finely stippled. Deceptively dense, this meteorite is blanketed in a gunmetal patina with platinum accents.

Campo del Cielo meteorites are the result of a collision between two asteroids in interplanetary space. When a large fragment from one of these asteroids hit Earth’s upper atmosphere 6,000 years ago, the pressure caused it to explode and break up into thousands of pieces. The larger meteorites struck the ground at such a high velocity that an array of more than 20 impact craters formed, the largest measuring nearly a football field in diameter. Thousands of years after having collided with Earth, Campo del Cielo (“Valley of the Sky”) meteorites were first documented in 1576 by Spanish explorers in what is now Argentina, when the meteorites unearthly origins were not yet understood. The first large meteorite displayed at the British Museum of Natural History was a “Campo”. Several large Campo del Cielo masses can be found today in the finest museums in the world. This specimen is a choice representation.

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.
270 mm x 190 mm x 200 mm (1012 x 712 x 778 in.)
25kg.
Special notice
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.
Brought to you by
James HyslopHead of Department, Science & Natural History
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

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