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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Ethnographic / Green Malachite Orbicular Patterns High Quality Sphere...
Katanga Mines-AAA Quality — This lot features a magnificent sphere of Malachite, deftly worked to enhance the complex natural patterns and the vibrant coloration of the mineral. From the rich deposits of the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the most famous sources for this copper carbonate, the specimen has been perfectly polished, transforming a raw aggregate into an object of pure geometric and mineralogical contemplation. The spherical shape allows you to appreciate all of its motifs from every angle, making it a collectible piece of notable visual impact. Careful inspection of the surface reveals the geological history of this mineral. Malachite displays its characteristic botryoidal and mamillated structure, sectioned by the workmanship. One can admire intricate concentric diagrams, known as “peacock eyes,” alternating in wavy bands of different shades of green: from bright emerald green to deep forest green, almost black. This chromatic alternation testifies to the variations in chemical conditions during the slow deposition process of the mineral. The mirror polish enhances the silky and changeable effect, known as chatoyance, which gives the sphere exceptional depth and vitality when struck by light. The patterns adorning the sphere are not random but represent a cross-section of the botryoidal aggregates (grape-like) in which Malachite crystallizes. Each line and each circle is a trace of the mineral’s growth layers, formed slowly in the oxidation zones of copper deposits. The carbonate-rich water, percolating through copper-bearing rocks, deposited this mineral layer by layer, creating the complex internal architectures that the spherical craftsmanship skillfully revealed. This geological process makes every Malachite sphere a unique piece, with an unreproducible natural fingerprint. Beyond its indisputable scientific and collector value, this Malachite sphere stands out as a sophisticated decorative element. Its pure form and the richness of its designs make it an ideal focal point for a study, a library, or a contemporary interior. It evokes the aesthetics of the ancient Wunderkammer, the Renaissance Cabinets of Curiosities, where extraordinary natural objects were gathered for their beauty and rarity. Holding this sphere in hand means connecting with a fragment of Earth's history, a work of art sculpted as much by nature as by human skill. Technical details Name: Malachite Classification: Copper Carbonate Provenance: Democratic Republic of the Congo (presumably from the Katanga region) Dimensions: 69 x 69 x 69 mm (diameter) Weight: 620 g Conditions: Natural, worked and polished. The specimen is intact and shows no restorations or treatments.
Estimate:$393.82
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Estimate:
$393.82
OCT 8 | 3:00 PM
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
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