Araucarioxylon arizonicum from the Triassic (circa 225 million years ago) sliced longitudinally and polished to reveal a rainbow of colours. Ideal for a tabletop or wall mounting presentation. The particularity of this piece is that in the process of fossilisation a cavity has been naturally filled by a crystallisation.

41³⁄₈ x 24⁷⁄₈ x 2³⁄₈in. (105 x 63 x 6cm.)

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.
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This lot is offered by Christie Manson & Woods Ltd

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Lot Essay

Petrified wood is a fossil that is formed by the process of permineralization. This process occurs when the organic material in trees, namely cellulose and lignin, is replaced by minerals such as silica and calcite. Over time the minerals fill in the spaces between the cells of the wood creating a replica of the original structure including growth rings, bark and even the cellular structure.

This petrification process occurs over millions of years and only now do we see the beautiful results as that immortalized in the present Lot. Indeed, the Arizona petrified wood is a marvel, characterized by its mesmerizing colourisation; the iron oxide producing shades of red and yellow, whilst magnesium turns the wood into hues of purple and black.