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LOT 2499
Natural History - Pyrites 'Fool's Gold' Crystal Specimen Group
1/2 - 1 3/8 in. (672 grams total, 15-36 mm).
Comprising around 80 pyrites or 'fool's gold' crystal specimens. [80, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Peru.
From the historic ‘Victorian Museum’ or later collection of Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's); formerly Gregory, Bottley & Co.
(1932-1981) and previously J.R.Gregory & Co. (1898-1932); originally James Reynolds Gregory (1858-1898).
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2499
Natural History - Pyrites 'Fool's Gold' Crystal Specimen Group
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
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Natural History - Campo Del Cielo Iron Meteorite Pair
Fell 6000-5000 years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Comprising two amorphous iron Campo Del Cielo (IAB) meteorites. 3.42 grams total, 12-16 mm
From Chaco Province, Argentina, found 1576. Property of an East Sussex, UK, teacher.
A crater field of roughly 26 craters was found in the vicinity of this crater, which is estimated to date to 4-5 thousand years BP. The age of the meteorite itself is thought to be c.4.5 billion years, formed as part of the development of this solar system. The largest two fragments, the 30.8 ton Gancedo and 28.8 ton El Chaco, are among the heaviest meteorite masses ever recovered on Earth. In 1576, the governor of a province in Northern Argentina commissioned the military to search for a large mass of iron, which it was believed the local people claimed had fallen from the sky and which they used for their weapon production. The expedition discovered a large mass of metal which was assumed to be an iron mine and brought back a few samples, which were described as being of unusual purity. Following the legends, in 1774 Don Bartolomé Francisco de Maguna rediscovered the iron mass. He himself did not believe that the stone had fallen from the sky and assumed that it had formed by a volcanic eruption. However, he sent the samples to the Royal Society of London. In 1990 it became protected by law. -
Natural History - Fossil Diplomystus Fish
Eocene Period, circa 58 million years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
On a rectangular matrix. 292 grams, 13 cm
From Wyoming (Green River Formation), USA. From an old Bristol, UK, collection.
Seasonally some 58 million years ago, in the Green River region of Wyoming, torrential rains fell in the mountains. They flowed down the mountain sides, forming wide shallow lakes in the valley below. During the dry season, these lakes would dry up due to evaporation (as happens in certain parts of Africa today). Millions of fish died in this short period of time. This climatic cycle happened over a 20-thousand-year period. Layer upon layer of mud entombed all these fish. At a much later date, volcanic activity uplifted this area to expose the fossils. -
Natural History - British Eleganticeras Fossil Ammonite Multi Display
Jurassic Period, circa 180-185 million years B.P.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Presenting multiple fossil Eleganticeras sp. ammonites with scarce white calcite fossilisation. 737 grams, 14 cm
From North Yorkshire, UK.
