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Sculptural Iron Nickel Meteorite

About the Item

A magnificent and extremely sculptural specimen of the Seymchan meteorite, recovered in the Russian Far East. This rare and large end cut preserves the patinated and partially melted exterior of the meteorite, together with the mesmerising, reflective pattern of iron-nickel crystals of the cut face interior. Formed in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and flung into space by an enormous impact, this extraordinary material journeyed over 100 million miles before falling to Earth. The exterior is covered with scars and indentations caused during atmospheric entry, as streaks of molten metal vaporised off the surface. The interior reveals the beautiful interlocking crystal structure of two nickel-iron alloys formed by the supercooling of the parent body, evidence of the extraterrestrial origin of this remarkable object. "When in 1808 Count Alois Joseph von Widmanstätten of Vienna sliced, polished and etched the surface of an iron, he found a geometric pattern of exquisite beauty." Walter Sullivan, We Are Not Alone (1994). Weight: 34.68 kg Measures: Height on base: 21 inches (53.34 cm) Width: 11 1/2 inches (29.201 cm) Provenance: Recovered from the Hekandue Riverbed, near Seymchan, Russia. Published: ArtAncient, Extraterrestrial, 2022
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21 in (53.34 cm)Diameter: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    4.55 billion years ago
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 427151stDibs: LU1052227283092

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