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LOT 2292
Historic Roman 'Spartan Basalt' Cut & Polished Green Porphyry Sheet Group [3]
4 1/2 - 5 1/4 in. (375 grams total, 11.4-13.3 cm).
Large cut and polished sections, mined in Greece, cut and polished on both sides, probably recycled material mined in ancient Roman times. [3, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Greece.
Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK.
Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.
Also known as Lapis Lacedaemonius and Porfido Verde Antico, a type of green porphyry quarried in Greece. Spartan basalt is a form of andesite or volcanic rock known today only from a single source in the village of Krokees on the Peloponnese in Greece. In addition, ancient sources mention a quarry of Lapis Lacedaemonius in Taygetus.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2292
Historic Roman 'Spartan Basalt' Cut & Polished Green Porphyry Sheet Group [3]
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
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Knightia Fossil Fish in Matrix
Eocene Period, circa 58-36 million years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Rectangular matrix with a Knightia alta specimen. 210 grams, 80 mm
From Wyoming (Green River Formation), USA. From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection.
In southwest Wyoming (and parts of Colorado and Utah) in the Green River Formation are found some of the world's most outstanding specimens of fossil fish. The Green River system was composed of three lakes: Lake Ulinta, Lake Gosiute and Fossil Lake. These Eocene lakes lay in a series of intermountain basins formed by geological events that uplifted the Rocky Mountains during the early Tertiary time. The climate was much different from the desert-like climate of this area today. Both the fauna (crocodiles, alligators, boa constrictors and some subtropical fish families) and the flora (such as large palm trees) indicate a climate much like that found along the Gulf Coast today. Large amounts of ash found in the sediments indicate that volcanoes were particularly active at this time. -
Pyrite Crystal Mineral Chunk Group [100]
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
A large group of variously sized specimens showing characteristic striations. 683 grams total, 12-25 mm
From Peru. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK. -
Polished Rose Quartz Crystal Group
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
Comprising thirty-one polished pebbles displaying vibrant pink colour. 943 grams total, 29-41 mm
Ex property of a UK gallery, early 2000s.