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Lot 8076
Horse Bezoar Stone—A Horse “Pearl”
4 December 2005, 11:00 PST
Los AngelesSold for US$1,410 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistHorse Bezoar Stone—A Horse “Pearl”
Vietnam
So known because it is, in point of fact, a calcareous concretion—bezoar stones were used from early times for both their alleged medicinal qualities and their ability to detect and neutralize poisons, in particular arsenic and cyanide. The stones themselves are technically gallstones, formed of calcium and hair found in the alimentary tracts of ruminant animals such as deer, sheep, llamas, antelope and as in this case, horses. They were originally named for the Bezoar Goats of Tibet. Bezoar comes from the Persian word, pá to zahar, meaning "antidote against the poison". They were used by the wealthy as an amulet against poisoning just as amethyst, crushed emerald or narwhal tusk were crushed and immersed in a suspect liquid. The present specimen, is particularly large for its type, and is near-spherical. Diameter 5 ½ in.
So known because it is, in point of fact, a calcareous concretion—bezoar stones were used from early times for both their alleged medicinal qualities and their ability to detect and neutralize poisons, in particular arsenic and cyanide. The stones themselves are technically gallstones, formed of calcium and hair found in the alimentary tracts of ruminant animals such as deer, sheep, llamas, antelope and as in this case, horses. They were originally named for the Bezoar Goats of Tibet. Bezoar comes from the Persian word, pá to zahar, meaning "antidote against the poison". They were used by the wealthy as an amulet against poisoning just as amethyst, crushed emerald or narwhal tusk were crushed and immersed in a suspect liquid. The present specimen, is particularly large for its type, and is near-spherical. Diameter 5 ½ in.