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All auctions / Ethnographic / Golden Pyrite Cubes on a Rich Matrix of Sphalerite and...
Krushev Dol Mine, Madan District — Presented at auction is a magnificent and imposing mineral specimen from one of Europe’s most renowned localities: the Krushev Dol mine, in the Madan mining district, Bulgaria. This large piece is an extraordinary polymetallic association, a geological snapshot capturing the coexistence of four species: Pyrite, Sphalerite, Galena, and Quartz. The visual impact is immediate and powerful, a triumph of material and chromatic contrasts that testifies to the complex history of its formation. The surface of the sample is a dense and vibrant carpet of crystals. Dominating the scene are countless cubes of Pyrite, gleaming with a vivid metallic luster and an intense brass-yellow color. These crystals, well-formed with sharp facets, emerge from a dark, granular matrix. On close inspection, one notes that this base is composed of a microcrystalline aggregate of almost black Sphalerite, absorbing light and creating a perfect backdrop to highlight the gold of Pyrite. Scattered among the sulfides, like a dusting of diamonds, are small needle- and prism-shaped crystals of transparent Quartz, perfectly clear, adding points of light and delicate refinement to the whole. The crystallization quality is remarkable. The Pyrite cubes show characteristic striations on their faces, an unmistakable signature of their crystal structure. Their arrangement is not random but follows the geometries of growth, with some crystals isolated and others grouped in glittering aggregates. The Sphalerite matrix, together with the Galena (often associated and visually similar in granular aggregates), is not merely a support but a fundamental component of the aesthetic balance, providing depth and a dark chromatic contrast that is the quintessence of Madan’s sulfide associations. The Quartz, deposited probably in a later phase of the hydrothermal process, filled the small cavities, growing in tight spaces and preserving its clarity. This specimen is a classic product of hydrothermal deposits of volcanic origin that characterize the Madan district. Millions of years ago, hot fluids rich in dissolved elements (iron, sulfur, lead, zinc, and silicon) rose through fractures in the Earth's crust. As temperature and pressure varied, these elements combined and precipitated, slowly crystallizing and giving life to this complex paragenesis. Each mineral formed under ideal conditions for its growth, creating an interconnected mineral ecosystem of great scientific interest. Weighing over 9 kilograms and of substantial dimensions, this piece qualifies as a high-level “cabinet specimen,” destined to become the focal point of a mineralogy collection. Its provenance from a historic and renowned locality increases its collectible value. Beyond its scientific interest, it is an object of extraordinary natural beauty, a piece of earthly design that can enrich a sophisticated interior, a library, or a study, evoking the charm of a modern Wunderkammer. Its three-dimensionality and the richness of detail make it a specimen to explore continually, discovering new angles and geometries with every inspection.
Estimate:$1,592.88
To the auctionView all items fromCatawikiorEthnographic
Estimate:
$1,592.88
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