Located in London, by appointment only
A highly prized gemstone masterpiece of Museum quality and incredible rarity.
Spectacular & Highly Important Early 20th Century Rhodochrosite Gemstone Plateau / Table Top. Veneered to form an 8 point star design, Shaped with a moulded edge reminiscent of Thomas Chippendale. A palatial & wonderfully unique masterpiece. In excellent condition for its age and use.
The magnificently vibrant gemstone, Rhodochrosite, draws its name from two Greek words, rhodon meaning “rose” and chroma meaning “colour”. This valuable stone’s use dates back to the ancient Inca civilization. Upon discovering the gem in a cave in Argentina, the Incas incorporated the stunningly beautiful pink crystals into their most valued jewellery. Renowned for its banding, ranging from light pink to bright red, Argentinian Rhodochrosite is a truly unique gemstone. As you know, in ideal specimens of this stone, the banding crosses the surface of the stone in a zigzag pattern, with a sharp contrast between colours. The colour of this gorgeous gem is due to the presence of Manganese.
The eight-pointed star or Octagram is believed to have its origins in early astronomy. Eight lines signify the four corners of space ( south, north, east and west ) and time ( two equinoxes and two solstices) and are associated with different meanings in different cultures. The eight pointed star appears in spiritual traditions from many different cultures across the globe. The eight pointed star began to appear in Islamic art in the Middle Ages. It is referred to as khatim or khatim-sulayman, meaning “seal of the prophets”. This use of the star is likely related to earlier appearances of six-pointed star in Judaic designs, which are referred to as the “seal of Solomon...
Category
Early 20th Century European Chippendale Veneer Sculptures