Natural History - Historic 'Morocco' Zincite Mineral Specimen

Comprising: granite with high mica content from the A40 construction works, Middlesex, collection number 500; unakite from North Transvaal, South Africa, collection number 229; quartz from Cornwall, England, collection number 295; pyrite, collection number 592; granite, collection number 540; gneiss veins in quartz with two cut and polished faces, collection number 404; granite from the A40 construction works, Middlesex, England, collection number 506; grit from North Transvaal, South Africa, collection number 224; mica, collection number 366. 1.8 kg total, 4.6-20 cm



Acquired on the UK mineral and fossil market, since 1970. From the historic mineral collection of Richard Valentine Cain, London, UK, thence by descent. Five specimens accompanied by an original historic index file card.

Well-formed crystals on a matrix of brownish black limonite, the crystals coated, in certain areas, by very small, translucent light brown crystals, possibly calcite, collection number 492, with an old Gregor, Bottley & Lloyd label. 56 grams, 74 mm



Acquired on the UK mineral and fossil market, since 1970. From the historic mineral collection of Richard Valentine Cain, London, UK, thence by descent. Accompanied by an original historic index file card.

A natural flowing limestone accretion with nodules and inclusions. 464 grams total, 13.1 cm



From the family collection of a Maida Vale lady, UK.

Gogottes were displayed at the chateau of Fontainebleau, France, collected by King Louis XIV (1638 -1715). They were used to decorate the formal gardens of the royal residence at Versailles, especially l’Encelade, Les Trois Fontaines and La Salle de Bal. Elsewhere, they were treasured in Song Dynasty China (960-1127 A.D.) In the 20th century, natural forms inspired the sculptor Henry Moore and others.