PALLASITE – PMG MAGADAN DISTRICT, SIBERIA, RUSSIA (62°54' N, 152°26' E)

Name: A SEYMCHAN METEORITE SPHERE — AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL CRYSTAL BALL
Brand: PALLASITE – PMG MAGADAN DISTRICT, SIBERIA, RUSSIA (62°54' N, 152°26' E)
Price: 3200.00 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

Price Realised GBP 4,000

Estimate

GBP 3,000 - GBP 5,000

Closed: 28 Oct 2020

Loading details

Try our

A SEYMCHAN METEORITE SPHERE — AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL CRYSTAL BALL

PALLASITE – PMG MAGADAN DISTRICT, SIBERIA, RUSSIA (62°54' N, 152°26' E)

Price Realised GBP 4,000

Closed: 28 Oct 2020

Price Realised GBP 4,000

Closed: 28 Oct 2020

Details Lot Essay Related Articles More from

This specimen originates from a Seymchan meteorite sample that underwent a number of stages of cutting and then grinding and polishing in a sphere-making device. The crystalline habit of the alloys comprising Seymchan’s iron-nickel matrix are seen to great effect adding to the complexity of this three-dimensional presentation. Dazzling amber-hued olivine and peridot crystals are suspended throughout the iron-nickel matrix which has been etched to reveal the beautiful metallic crystalline structure. Supported on stand. Modern cutting.
1¹⁄₂in. (4cm.) diameter, 2in. (5cm. on stand).

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.
-

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

Brought to you by

James Hyslop

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

Lot Essay

Like all pallasites, Seymchan formed at the boundary of the stony mantle and molten iron core of an asteroid that shattered following an impact with another asteroid. As might be expected, pallasites are extremely rare and, indeed, they represent less than 0.2% of all known meteorites.
Seymchan meteorites are found in the Magadan district of Siberia — the location of Stalin’s infamous gulags. The first two masses were found in a streambed by geologists in the 1960s. Most Seymchan meteorites are non-descript, prosaic masses until they are cut to reveal their internal splendor. To make a sphere of this size requires a mass nearly three times that of the sphere, given the amount of material lost during the grinding and polishing processes. This is a wondrous three-dimensional presentation of a pallasite, revealing aspects of the structure impossible to see in a flat slab. This specimen can rightfully be considered an otherworldly crystal ball with crystals of olivine and peridot (birthstone of August).