Kambaba Jasper 'Peacock Eye' Sphere

A pair of Charonosaurus sp. hadrosaur eggs on a matrix retaining evidence of the original leathery surface. 7.6 kg total, 26 x 14 cm



From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection, 1990s. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman.

Dinosaur eggs are known from about 200 sites around the world, the majority in Asia and mostly in terrestrial (non-marine) rocks of the Cretaceous Period. It may be that thick calcite eggshells evolved during the Cretaceous (145 to 65 million years ago). Most dinosaur eggs have one of two forms of eggshell that are distinct from the shells of related modern animal groups, such as turtles or birds; however, some eggs closely resemble the type of shells seen in present day ostrich eggs.

A radiating cluster of white tabular crystals (SrSO4) with dusting of orange mineral present at the tips. 123 grams, 62 mm



From Hammam-Zriba Mine, Tunisia. Acquired at the Bakewell Show, UK, 7 October 2000. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.

A rare wind-rounded pebble in a hollowed out 'nest', nestled within a larger nest; in a hessian draw-ribbon gift pouch. 970 grams total,13 cm



From the Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.