Arizona, USA

Name: A SLICE OF PETRIFIED WOOD
Brand: Arizona, USA
Price: 3000.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

Estimate

GBP 5,000 - GBP 8,000

Closed: 24 May 2023

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A SLICE OF PETRIFIED WOOD

Arizona, USA

Closed: 24 May 2023

Details Lot Essay Related Articles More from

A beautiful fossil wood slice, polished to highlight its vibrant hues of red, yellow, orange and blue.

22¹⁄₂ x 26⁵⁄₈ x 1¹⁄₈in. (57.3 x 67.6 x 3cm.)

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

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.