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Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Ethnographic / Green Malachite with Mosaic Patterns Polished Sphere a...
atural Malachite Mosaic — This lot presents a large and fascinating sphere made entirely from a mosaic of natural malachite, sourced from the rich deposits of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The specimen is distinguished by its complex workmanship, which deftly assembles selected fragments of the mineral to create a continuous, spherical surface, enhanced by a mirror finish. Resting on an elegant supporting ring, the sphere catches the light, revealing a universe of patterns and colors that make every angle a new discovery. Upon close examination, the surface of the sphere reveals itself as a true geological collage. Each tessera of the mosaic tells a different story: some show the classic botryoidal or “eye-like” motifs typical of malachite, with concentric circles fading from emerald green to almost black. Other fragments expose feathery, wavy bands, evidence of the mineral’s layered growth. The craftsman’s mastery lies in composing this three-dimensional puzzle, creating an object that is at once a work of art and a compendium of natural history. The junction lines between the pieces, visible yet discreet, become an integral part of the design, adding an additional level of visual complexity. Malachite is a hydrated copper carbonate that forms in oxidation zones above copper deposits. Its growth occurs by successive deposition of solutions rich in minerals, layer after layer, within cavities and fractures of the host rock. This process gives rise to the characteristic bands and concretions. The mosaic technique, particularly widespread in African regions rich in this mineral, allows valuable use of even smaller pieces of high-quality rough material, transforming them into craftworks of great impact and size, otherwise impossible to obtain from a single block. As a collectible object or decorative element, this malachite sphere possesses timeless allure, capable of dialoguing with both classical and contemporary interiors. It embodies perfectly the spirit of the Wunderkammer, or Cabinet of Curiosities, where art and nature fuse. Its intense color and the perfection of its geometric form make it a focal point of great elegance, ideal for a bookshelf, a study, or a console. Its nature as a handcrafted piece, based on the selection and composition of natural elements, guarantees the uniqueness of every piece, making it an unreproducible specimen. Technical details Name: Malachite Mosaic Sphere Classification: Hydrated Copper Carbonate, assembled Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo Dimensions: 84 x 84 x 84 mm (diameter) Weight: 1129 g (sphere only) Base: Gold-toned metal support ring Condition: Mosaic reconstructed from natural malachite fragments, mirror-polished. Intact.
Estimate:$421.96
To the auctionView all items fromCatawikiorEthnographic
Estimate:
$421.96
OCT 8 | 3:00 PM
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
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