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Lot 165
Petrified Wood from an Unusual Locality
7 December 2016, 10:00 PST
Los AngelesSold for US$1,000 inc. premium
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Petrified Wood from an Unusual Locality
Burma
100 million years old
When trees fall or are covered by sediment, over time, the organic materials of the wood are replaced with mineral deposits over thousands (if not millions) of years. Most frequently a silicate, such as quartz, is the primary replacement mineral which makes the petrified wood colorful and durable. When these pieces are found and dug up from deep pits, workers spend hundreds of hours hand-polishing each piece (but they do not carve the shape) of these to show the natural coloring and shape of these unique treasures. The present piece is particularly unusual in that the wood had already begun rotting before the woods silicified, leaving behind twisted and interesting pieces of multi-colored petrified wood. Unlike other petrified woods we have seen, it obtained its elegant curvature and style because the wood rotted in the ancient swamp for a period of time. The shapes on this piece are all natural, and the luster was brought out with only a slight polish. This wood is more translucent (silica-rich) than most petrified wood, in addition to having the surreal forms and swirls. Its placement on a custom-fitted wooden stand lends it the presence of an elegant contemplation stone in the traditional Chinese manner. Specimen measures: 16 x 5 x 4in
100 million years old
When trees fall or are covered by sediment, over time, the organic materials of the wood are replaced with mineral deposits over thousands (if not millions) of years. Most frequently a silicate, such as quartz, is the primary replacement mineral which makes the petrified wood colorful and durable. When these pieces are found and dug up from deep pits, workers spend hundreds of hours hand-polishing each piece (but they do not carve the shape) of these to show the natural coloring and shape of these unique treasures. The present piece is particularly unusual in that the wood had already begun rotting before the woods silicified, leaving behind twisted and interesting pieces of multi-colored petrified wood. Unlike other petrified woods we have seen, it obtained its elegant curvature and style because the wood rotted in the ancient swamp for a period of time. The shapes on this piece are all natural, and the luster was brought out with only a slight polish. This wood is more translucent (silica-rich) than most petrified wood, in addition to having the surreal forms and swirls. Its placement on a custom-fitted wooden stand lends it the presence of an elegant contemplation stone in the traditional Chinese manner. Specimen measures: 16 x 5 x 4in