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All auctions / Ethnographical / Massive Polychrome Jasper with Fiery Orange and Earthy...
Extra Quality Polychrome Jasper – Nature's Art — This lot features a monumental specimen of Polychrome Jasper from Madagascar, worked into a free-form, polished shape that highlights its intrinsic beauty. With an imposing weight of over 18 kilograms and considerable dimensions, this piece is not simply a mineral, but a true natural sculpture, a geological monument that captures the essence of Earth’s creativity. The hand polishing followed the organic curves of the rock mass, revealing a complex and fascinating surface that invites visual and tactile exploration. Direct observation reveals an extraordinarily rich color palette. On the perfectly glossy surface alternate and blend warm tones ranging from bright orange to brick red, from ochre yellow to earth brown. These vibrant colors are interrupted and contrasted by subtler areas of cream white, pearl gray, and almost black insets, giving depth and dynamism to the whole. The most distinctive feature are the innumerable orbital formations, the so-called “eyes,” that punctuate the matrix, creating patterns reminiscent of abstract landscapes, ancient maps, or aerial views of a primordial world. Geologically, Polychrome Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony, itself a microcrystalline form of quartz. Its incredible color range is due to impurities and inclusions, mainly iron oxides and hydroxides, trapped during a slow silicification process of ash or volcanic sediments. The Madagascar deposits, from which this specimen comes, are world-renowned for producing jaspers with unique patterns and colors. Each line, each blotch, and each “eye” is the result of specific geochemical events that occurred millions of years ago, making this piece an unreproducible archive of Earth’s history. The size and aesthetic quality of this jasper elevate it to a work of art and design. It is a “statement piece” capable of becoming the focal point of any space, whether a study, a luxury living room, or a gallery. Its imposing presence and natural beauty make it a perfect element for discerning collectors, interior designers, and anyone wishing to incorporate a piece of natural history with great visual impact into their space. It is the archetype of the Wunderkammer object, a bridge between science, art, and nature. In conclusion, this specimen is not only a high-quality mineral sample but a work of art sculpted by nature and deftly refined by man. Its combination of mass, color, and complex patterns makes it a unique and valuable piece. Possessing a jasper with such characteristics means safeguarding a tangible fragment of deep time, a celebration of the chaotic and wondrous beauty of geological processes that shape our world.
Estimate:£1,613.91
To the auctionView all items fromCatawikiorEthnographical
Estimate:
£1,613.91
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
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Two gilded bronze Singha temple lions, Thailand, first half of the 20th century
10/07/2026
£186.47
Est: £170.79
