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Provenance: Ex. British Museum of Natural History
Lot 1125
Imilac Meteorite — From The British Museum of Natural History, a Section of a Meteorite with Space Gems - An Exceptional Decorative Object from Outer Space
27 May 2010, 13:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$23,180 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistImilac Meteorite — From The British Museum of Natural History, a Section of a Meteorite with Space Gems - An Exceptional Decorative Object from Outer Space
PAL - Pallasite
Atacama Desert, Chile
Comprising less than 1% of all meteorites, pallasites are, by far, the most aesthetically dazzling of all meteorites, and the only meteorites with gemstones in a size of any consequence. Containing olivine and peridot (birthstone of August), Imilac is among the most sought-after meteorites in the world. Pallasites originate from the mantle-core boundary of a planetary body that broke apart during the formation of our solar system (the remnants of which are referred to as the asteroid belt). The crystals seen here are the result of small chunks of stony mantle becoming suspended in the molten nickel-iron core that crystallized following a cooling curve of millions of years in the vacuum of outer space. Nearly all Imilac specimens are thinly sliced to reveal the translucency of its crystals, and this three-dimensional presentation provides a fascinating reveal on the mosaic of crystals embedded in its gleaming metallic matrix. This specimen is also exceptional for a few earthly reasons: the meteorite from which this offering was derived was the centerpiece of the Meteorite Hall of the British Museum of Natural History for decades. Approximately ten years ago the meteorite was cut to reveal its internal splendor and this piece was deaccessioned in an exchange with the Macovich Collection of Meteorites. Prior to its British Museum debut, this same meteorite was recovered, like all Imilac meteorites, from the Atacama Desert in Chile, the highest desert on Earth. A melding of science, art and outer space, this is a one-of-a-kind object. Seemingly balanced on a tip, this meteorite is held in place by a powerful rare-earth magnet concealed in the customized pedestal that accompanies this offering. Measures 77 x 77 x 33mm (3.0 x 3.0 x 1.25 inches) and weighs 956.4 grams (2lbs).
Atacama Desert, Chile
Comprising less than 1% of all meteorites, pallasites are, by far, the most aesthetically dazzling of all meteorites, and the only meteorites with gemstones in a size of any consequence. Containing olivine and peridot (birthstone of August), Imilac is among the most sought-after meteorites in the world. Pallasites originate from the mantle-core boundary of a planetary body that broke apart during the formation of our solar system (the remnants of which are referred to as the asteroid belt). The crystals seen here are the result of small chunks of stony mantle becoming suspended in the molten nickel-iron core that crystallized following a cooling curve of millions of years in the vacuum of outer space. Nearly all Imilac specimens are thinly sliced to reveal the translucency of its crystals, and this three-dimensional presentation provides a fascinating reveal on the mosaic of crystals embedded in its gleaming metallic matrix. This specimen is also exceptional for a few earthly reasons: the meteorite from which this offering was derived was the centerpiece of the Meteorite Hall of the British Museum of Natural History for decades. Approximately ten years ago the meteorite was cut to reveal its internal splendor and this piece was deaccessioned in an exchange with the Macovich Collection of Meteorites. Prior to its British Museum debut, this same meteorite was recovered, like all Imilac meteorites, from the Atacama Desert in Chile, the highest desert on Earth. A melding of science, art and outer space, this is a one-of-a-kind object. Seemingly balanced on a tip, this meteorite is held in place by a powerful rare-earth magnet concealed in the customized pedestal that accompanies this offering. Measures 77 x 77 x 33mm (3.0 x 3.0 x 1.25 inches) and weighs 956.4 grams (2lbs).
Footnotes
Provenance: British Museum of Natural History and the Macovich Collection of Meteorites