Araucarioxylon arizonicum from the Triassic (circa 225 million years ago) Chinle Formation, Apache County, Arizona. A beautiful and vibrant slice with tinges of orange, red, blue and purple.

18⁷⁄₈ x 18¹⁄₂ x 1in. (48 x 47 x 2.5cm.)

This lot is offered without reserve.
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.

Conditions of Sale
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This lot is offered by Christie Manson & Woods Ltd

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.

jhyslop@christies.com +44 (0) 20 7752 3205

View condition report

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.