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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Ethnographical / Polychrome Agate Slice with Fiery Orange and Yellow Bands...
Premium Quality Geode - Wood and Satin Steel Base — We present an extraordinary slice of polychrome agate, from the rich Brazilian deposits. The specimen has been skillfully cut and polished to reveal its complex internal structure and mounted on an elegant design base of wood and satin-finished steel. What makes this piece instantly fascinating is its remarkable translucence, which, when illuminated, transforms the slice into a natural stained glass of warm and enveloping colors. Careful observation reveals a geologic microcosm. The agate shows a sequence of concentric bands that tell its story. An outer edge, almost fiery, with tones ranging from amber yellow to intense orange, frames the heart of the mineral. Toward the interior, the lines follow in an elegant rhythm, alternating milky white, pale pink, and delicate brown veins, creating a classic fortress-like pattern. In the center, the sequence of bands opens to reveal a geode cavity, whose interior is dotted with a myriad of glittering quartz microcrystals. This drusy surface offers a wonderful tactile and visual contrast with the silky smoothness of the polished parts. This natural wonder formed over millions of years inside a gas bubble in volcanic rock. Slowly, drop by drop, silica-rich aqueous solutions filtered into the cavity, depositing successive layers of chalcedony. The color variations result from inclusions of different metallic oxides, such as iron and manganese, present in the solutions during the various deposition phases. The central cavity represents the final stage of the process, where quartz had space to crystallize more distinctly, creating the drusy effect we admire today. The transformation from a raw nodular mass to this work of art requires great skill. Cutting such a thin slice (only 7 mm thick) from a hard yet fragile material like agate is a high-risk operation that only skilled artisans can successfully perform. The mirror polish on both faces maximizes light penetration, enhancing every shade and detail. The stand, with its solid wood base and vertical brushed steel column, was chosen for its minimalist contemporary design, which does not compete with the stone’s natural beauty but elevates it, making it a sculptural piece. This specimen is a perfect fusion of natural history and modern design. It is an object that speaks both to the mineral collector, fascinated by its formation and perfection, and to the interior design enthusiast seeking a unique and visually impactful decorative element. Placed on a desk, a shelf, or in a display case, this slice of agate catches the light and the eye, becoming a focal point of conversation and admiration, a fragment of the Earth's heart transformed into a work of art.
Estimate:£807.7
To the auctionView all items fromCatawikiorEthnographical
Estimate:
£807.7
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
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