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All auctions / Ethnographical / Extra Quality Afghan Lapislazzuli Slice - Natural Royal...
Polished free-form lapis lazuli, richly speckled with golden inclusions — A magnificent specimen of free-form, polished lapis lazuli, from the historic Afghan mines. This piece, of remarkable size and weight over a kilogram, immediately captures attention with its intense, deep blue coloration, evoking the most precious pigments in art history. The surface, masterfully worked, offers a sculptural and modern aesthetic, making it a highly visually impactful object. Examining the specimen in detail, one appreciates the superb polish that enhances every chromatic nuance and creates a surface almost glassy, smooth to the touch. The dominant color is a regal, deep, saturated blue, the quintessence of high-quality lapis lazuli. On this cobalt blue background unfolds a fine and sparkling dispersion of Pyrite. These tiny golden specks and aggregates, like stardust, create the iconic effect of a “starry night sky.” The mineralogical frame is completed by white and grayish Calcite veins and areas that traverse the surface like bright brushstrokes, adding dynamism and testifying to the authenticity and complex genesis of the rock. Lapis lazuli is not a single mineral, but a metamorphic rock composed of several minerals. Its unmistakable color is mainly due to the presence of Lazurite, a complex silicate. Its formation occurs through a contact metamorphism process, typically in crystalline limestones following a magmatic intrusion. The Badakhshan province mines in Afghanistan, active for over 6,000 years, are the oldest and most famous source in the world for this material, and specimens from this region are considered the standard-bearer for quality. This piece embodies the typical characteristics of that prestigious provenance. Few stones possess such a rich and fascinating history. Since ancient times, lapis lazuli has been regarded as a gem of great value, symbolizing royalty, wisdom, and power. The ancient Egyptians used it extensively for jewelry, amulets, and ceremonial objects, as evidenced by Tutankhamun’s famous funerary mask. During the Renaissance, lapis powder was ground to produce the pigment “ultramarine,” the most expensive and sought-after by the great masters of painting. Owning a specimen like this means safeguarding a fragment of geological and human history. With its organic form and flawless finish, this lapis lazuli qualifies as much as a fine mineralogical collection piece as it does as a sophisticated design element. It is an ideal object to enrich a contemporary Wunderkammer, a library, or a study, where its sculptural presence and vibrant color can be admired. Its generous dimensions and timeless aesthetic make it a focal point in any environment, capable of engaging both classic and modern furnishings.
Estimate:£187.87
To the auctionView all items fromCatawikiorEthnographical
Estimate:
£187.87
Niels Helledie: Standing two-part figure. Unsigned. Stoneware. H.
09/29/2026
£799.86
Est: £1,146.51
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Valdemar Foersom Hegndal: Standing Figure. Signed. Sculpture of carved
09/29/2026
£799.86
Est: £687.45
Niels Helledie: Christ. Unsigned. Wall-mounted relief in partly painted
09/29/2026
£857
Est: £572.88
