A rare red coral group representing Guanyin with musicians finely sculpted, China, Qing Dynasty, beginning 20th century
A rare red coral group representing Guanyin with musicians finely sculpted, China, Qing Dynasty, beginning 20th century. Photo Cambi Casa d'Aste
1956gr., h 28cm. Estimation : 10 000 / 15 000 €
Cambi Casa d'Aste. Mercredi 22 mai 2013. Castello Mackenzie - Mura di San Bartolomeo 16. Contact: Emilie Volka 0039 (0) 108395029 -emilie@cambiaste.com
Wulfenite. Red Cloud Mine, Silver Dist., Trigo Mts., La Paz Co., Arizona, USA
Wulfenite. Red Cloud Mine, Silver Dist., Trigo Mts., La Paz Co., Arizona, USA. Photo Heritage Auctions
Wulfenite is a consistent member of all mineral collections with any pretensions to completeness. The bright red-orange of Wulfenite from TheRed Cloud Mine of Arizona, has generated a level of notoriety achieved by few other minerals. Wulfenite specimens considered "choice" possess some key characteristics: fine red-orange color with no hint of brown, multiple crystals with good crystal form and little or no damage, brilliant luster, and last, the crystals are on matrix.
Addressing each of those criteria in regard to this specimen, we find: a.) Color is the deep red-orange of the best specimens, with areas of transparency in some of the crystals, b.) 8 of approximately 10 major crystals show absolute perfection of form with no damage, while 2 of the 10, show evidence of 'contact' with cavity walls. This is not unusual in multiple crystal matrix specimens, and c.) The mirror bright luster of all the Wulfenites is as good as it gets from this locality. In addition, the largest crystal is approximately one inch across, and several are ¾ to 1 inch - very sizable for the locality. There are quite a few smaller Wulfenites scattered among the major ones, lending complexity and increased sparkle to the overall effect. It isn't all that common to have as many good crystals on one specimen and that is probably this examples greatest strength.
Overall measurements: 4.25 x 2.5 x 2.25 inches (10.8 x 6.35 x 5.72 cm) Estimate: $100,000 - $150,000.
Heritage Auctions. 2013 June 2 Nature & Science Signature Auction - Dallas
An oxblood red porcelain vase, China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century
An oxblood red porcelain vase, China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Photo Cambi Casa d'Aste
h 33cm - Estimation : 1 000 / 1 500 €
Cambi Casa d'Aste. Mercredi 22 mai 2013. Castello Mackenzie - Mura di San Bartolomeo 16. Contact: Emilie Volka 0039 (0) 108395029 -emilie@cambiaste.com
SPONDUMENE var. KUNZITE with IMPORTANT HISTORIC PROVENANCE
SPONDUMENE var. KUNZITE with IMPORTANT HISTORIC PROVENANCE. Photo Heritage Auctions.
The jewelry firm of Tiffany and Company needs no introduction. It has provided jewels to the aristocracy, stained glass and art glass to collectors, medals to the military, and enough other items to make the turquoise blue "Tiffany" box instantly recognizable by millions of people worldwide. During the 160 years that Tiffany & Co. has existed, Tiffany employees sourced many of the exotic jewels incorporated in the their jewelry. That select group of experts included two gentlemen intimately connected by the Kunzite specimen of this lot. The most famous of the pair was George F. Kunz: self-taught mineralogist, collector, author, research curator, special agent for the U.S. Geological Survey, Vice President of Tiffany, and other achievements too numerous to mention. The pink gem variety of Spodumene was named for him, and it is this specimen of Kunzite, presented by Kunz to his Tiffany co-worker, George Wild, that is up for auction in this lot.
According to accompanying documentation, the Kunzite of this lot was mined about 1905 at the Pala Chief Mine in San Diego County, California. It was presented to Mr. Wild during the period 1909-14 while both of these gentlemen were working for Tiffany. It was later sold to author and collector Dr. Peter Bancroft of Fallbrook, California, probably around the 1975 date of a letter about the specimen, signed by George Wild. Included in this lot is a 35 mm slide and print of the same, taken by Dr. Bancroft that shows Mr. Wild holding the specimen. The Kunzite crystal matches, both in size and appearance, the one Mr. Wild is shown holding in that photo.
Physically, the crystal is 10.88 inches (27.5 cm) in length and 3.31 inches (8.46 cm) in width. Maximal thickness is 1.80 cm (just under ¾ inch). The overall shape is that of a flat blade with a diagonal termination with a combination of beveled and straight sides. All surfaces with the exception of the 'bottom', show surface growth features indicating that they are crystal faces and not cleavages. There are a number of 'tube' type inclusions, originating within the crystal, and terminating in triangular 'etch pits' on the front and back faces. The Kunzite is so transparent it could be described as "water clear." It shows the typical variation of color, depending on orientation, with the most saturated color visible when viewing down the 'C' axis of the crystal. Two areas on one of the faces show iron staining within incipient cleavages. These match those seen in the Bancroft photos: another key authentication point. As noted before, all but the basal surfaces are original and therefore condition is at the very least: excellent if not pristine. Comes with a custom acrylic base and a lot of documents and photos addressing provenance. Offered at no reserve. Estimate: $80,000 - $100,000.
Provenance: Ex. Dr. Peter Bancroft Collection, ex. George Wild Collection, ex. George F. Kunz Collection.
Heritage Auctions. 2013 June 2 Nature & Science Signature Auction - Dallas
A flambé ceramic vase in the shape of a pumpkin, China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century
A flambé ceramic vase in the shape of a pumpkin, China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Photo Cambi Casa d'Aste
38cm . Estimation : 2 000 / 3 000 €
Cambi Casa d'Aste. Mercredi 22 mai 2013. Castello Mackenzie - Mura di San Bartolomeo 16. Contact: Emilie Volka 0039 (0) 108395029 -emilie@cambiaste.com
RHODOCHROSITE "JEWEL". N'Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Manganese Fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
RHODOCHROSITE "JEWEL". N'Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Manganese Fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Photo Heritage Auctions.
The element Manganese is an essential component of many modern necessities: everything from steel to dry cell batteries. Approximately 99.999999% of Manganese ores are BLACK. Not just a little black, but black enough to get Manganese miners banned from local Laundromats for washing their work clothes: this is not a joke. Evidently, Mother Nature took pity on this hard-working element and partially made up for the slight by giving Manganese a starring role in the production of some of the most aesthetically attractive minerals ever to grace the planet: Rhodochrosite being the most notable. The color and transparency of Rhodochrosite ranges from pale pink and opaque at one end to deep red and limpidly clear at the other.
Which brings us to the miniature size Rhodochrosite group seen here. It is a group of approximately thirty scalenohedral crystals of a deep rose-red color with the gemmy transparency - all of the crystals are mostly intact with a few with cleaved tips. In fact, if this specimen were not so perfect, a gem cutter would be tempted to fashion the crystals into rare gemstones. The bottom side of the specimen is composed of dark brown Rhodochrosite with no matrix. The largest crystals measure approximately one inch (2.5 cm) and all prisms show glassy luster with some interesting 'micro-features' on certain faces and edges.
Overall measurements: 2 x 2 x 1.25 inches (5.1 x 5.1 x 3.2 cm). Offered at no reserve. Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000.
Provenance: Rocksmiths [Hoppel Catalog # D0814]
Heritage Auctions. 2013 June 2 Nature & Science Signature Auction - Dallas
A Meiping porcelain vase with flambé decoration , China, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (1736-1795)
A Meiping porcelain vase with flambé decoration , China, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (1736-1795). Photo Cambi Casa d'Aste
h 34cm. Estimation : 5 000 / 7 000 €
Cambi Casa d'Aste. Mercredi 22 mai 2013. Castello Mackenzie - Mura di San Bartolomeo 16. Contact: Emilie Volka 0039 (0) 108395029 -emilie@cambiaste.com
RHODOCHROSITE "GEM". N'Chwaning Mine, Kuruman, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
RHODOCHROSITE "GEM". N'Chwaning Mine, Kuruman, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Photo Heritage Auctions.
This colorful specimen is from the original find at the N'Chwaning Mine, owned by Associated Manganese Mines of South Africa and now closed. Typical 'gemmy' scalenohedral crystal habit with associated secondary crystals flanking the main one, forming a sub-parallel aggregate. This specimen shows dark red, transparent color with the brown overtones normal for this material. The highly lustrous faces display faint striations and a very few, minute Manganite crystals in recesses. The main crystal has cleavage at tip, otherwise excellent condition.
Overall measurements: 1.75 x 1 x .5 inches (4.4 x 2.5 x 1.3 cm). Offered at no reserve. Estimate: $10,000 - $14,000.
Provenance: Minerals America [Hoppel Catalog # D1935]
Heritage Auctions. 2013 June 2 Nature & Science Signature Auction - Dallas
A flambé blue and violet porcelain vase, China, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (1736-1795)
A flambé blue and violet porcelain vase, China, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period (1736-1795). Photo Cambi Casa d'Aste
in the shape of a mountain landscape; h 40cm. Estimation : 6 000 / 8 000 €
Cambi Casa d'Aste. Mercredi 22 mai 2013. Castello Mackenzie - Mura di San Bartolomeo 16. Contact: Emilie Volka 0039 (0) 108395029 -emilie@cambiaste.com
PRECIOUS OPAL with IMPORTANT HISTORIC PROVENANCE. Virgin Valley, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA
PRECIOUS OPAL with IMPORTANT HISTORIC PROVENANCE. Virgin Valley, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA. Photo Heritage Auctions.
Washington A. Roebling: chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge, soldier of the Union Army, devoted family man, and most important to this discussion: prolific collector of over 16,000 mineral, gem and meteorite specimens. His bridge building career included being involved with the Cincinnati-Covington Bridge, The Ojuela Mine Bridge, and the aforementioned Brooklyn Bridge. He was responsible for many technical improvements to the bridge construction industry, some of which are still in use. Roebling had a long time love of Opals from Virgin Valley. He is remembered for the famed "Roebling Opal" - a 2,585 carats Black Opal from Virgin Valley, donated to the Smithsonian in 1917. His death in 1926 resulted in the donation of his considerable mineral collection to the Smithsonian Institution by his son John A. Roebling II. In addition to the actual collection, the National Museum was endowed with a $150,000 bequest to enable additional purchases of minerals in his father's name.
This important mineral specimen is a Virgin Valley Precious Opal from the Smithsonian's Washington A. Roebling Mineral collection.This Precious Opal specimen held a special place in Roebling's vast collection according to the Smithsonian records. When his collection went to the National Museum, it was one of the very first specimens donated: as a symbol of his collection, seven specimens were brought to the museum, and this was one of the seven. The rest of the collection was later packed up in 350 shipping boxes and brought over.
This Precious Opal has stunningly lovely "fire" with an astonishing play of colors. Virtually transparent, this specimen shows flashes of fire in all of the colors of the rainbow: reds, purples, greens, blues, and golds. The type and color of the fire alters as one rotates the piece, changing from a dense pattern of predominantly red-green fire to an elongate type of 'flash' in colors of red, gold, green, blue and purple. The specimen has been kept in water, since Virgin Valley material has an unpredictable tendency to check if allowed to dry out. That we know of, no one has attempted to find out whether this is one of the ones that will tolerate drying. This flashing tribute to engineering skill and public philanthropy weighs 550 carats, is in pristine condition, and comes with the National Museum's Roebling label # R101.
The specimen measures 3.06 x 2.06 x 1.19 inches (7.78 x 5.28 x 3.01 cm). It is in a sealed glass jar that is 4.75 inches high. Offered at no reserve. Estimate: $80,000 - $100,000.
Provenance: Ex. U.S. National Museum, Washington A. Roebling Collection #R101
Heritage Auctions. 2013 June 2 Nature & Science Signature Auction - Dallas
