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Exceptional Carved Ruby-in-Zoisite Box with "Surprise" Interior image 1
Exceptional Carved Ruby-in-Zoisite Box with "Surprise" Interior image 2
Featured Artist: Luis Alberto Quispe



Lot 1307

Exceptional Carved Ruby-in-Zoisite Box with "Surprise" Interior

27 May 2010, 13:00 EDT
New York

US$12,000 - US$15,000

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Exceptional Carved Ruby-in-Zoisite Box with "Surprise" Interior

Designed by Luis Alberto Quispe
A virtuoso carving considering the hardness of the material, this presentation box was formed from a single immense rough boulder of fine quality Tanzanian ruby-in-zoisite. The piece is already exceptional from a mineralogical standpoint with a huge polished hexagonal ruby crystal on the lid carved out to provide relief from the contour polished vivid green zoisite matrix flecked with black. The removable lid reveals a decorated interior—the underside of the lid is carved with the head of a large eagle in profile—the bottom of the box contains the full figure of an eagle in flight, with sections for storage on either side. The eagle's eye is highlighted by a single faceted ruby, rimmed in 18K yellow gold, measures 7 ½ x 6 x 3 ¼ in.

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