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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Ethnographical / Native Copper Nugget with Rich Coppery Luster - Wood and...
Elegant specimen of native copper with a wealth of superficial details — This specimen presents native copper (Cu) in a massive, botryoidal formation, characteristic of low-temperature hydrothermal deposits or metasomatic alteration. Its irregular structure and superficial mammillated concretions indicate a growth process in open spaces or within fractures and cavities in the host rock, where metallic copper was deposited directly from mineralized fluids. Visually, the mineral exhibits the typical metallic red-copper coloration, with areas that retain a vivid sheen and others that show a darker patina due to surface oxidation, giving a distinctive chromatic contrast. Some small inclusions or adherences of rocky matrix, probably basaltic or arenaceous, with gray-green tones, are discernible, offering geological context to the sample and attesting to its unchanged natural character. The surface presents a complex texture, with rounded reliefs that blend into an organic and sculptural appearance. The origin from Michigan, United States, is of particular geological note. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is world-renowned for its exceptional native copper deposits, especially those associated with the Keweenaw Peninsula. These ore bodies, among the largest in the world, are linked to volcanic and sedimentary events dating back to the Mesoproterozoic (about 1.1 billion years ago), where copper was leached from mafic igneous rocks and redeposited in native form within amygdales and fractures in sequences of basalt and conglomerates. The aesthetics of this piece are remarkable, with its three-dimensional shape and the intricate surface that reflects light in a fascinating way. The combination of the warm copper color with the darker patina nuances creates a dynamic and attractive visual effect, making it a striking display piece. Its size and sculptural form make it ideal to be appreciated from every angle. The specimen presents itself in excellent natural condition, free from significant alterations or restorations. Its structural integrity is solid, and the surface characteristics are well preserved. The piece is mounted on an elegant display stand in brass and wood, designed to enhance its verticality and allow an optimal view from every perspective, facilitating its integration into any collection or display setting. This native copper specimen from Michigan represents an acquisition opportunity for collectors who appreciate classical mineralogy and native minerals. Its historical provenance and its aesthetic quality place it in a superior category compared with common samples, offering both educational value and a significant collectible merit. It is a tangible witness to the geological processes that have shaped the Earth's crust and a meritorious example of the intrinsic beauty of native elements.
Estimate:£679.54
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Estimate:
£679.54
Itzik Benshalom (1945-2018), "The Family", Bronze
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
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Get listed now£850
Est: £500
£604.73
