East Africa, Madagascar, Vakinankaratra region, Antsirabe II district, Sahanivotry Manandona commune, ca. millions of years ago. This is a gorgeous crystalline cluster of smoky quartz prisms with hematite inclusions. The hematite are the darker flecks within the quartz - a result of the presence of iron. Hematite varies in appearance but often appears as a rusty red, and fittingly means "blood stone." The smoky quartz has excellent terminal points and semi translucent coloration, lightening from the tip to the base, that includes some reddish-brown hues. Interestingly the gray smoky quartz can appear a yellow-brown when viewed under polarized light. This large cluster is stunning and would be a beautiful addition to display with lighting or to tuck amongst some potted plants! Quartz was a prized material due to its translucency and Pliny the Elder believed that quartz was fossilized ice, permanently frozen into stones, a belief that persisted into the 17th century. Size: 5" L x 5" W x 6" H (12.7 cm x 12.7 cm x 15.2 cm); 7" H (17.8 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hagar collection, Wildwood, Missouri, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#167915
Condition
Intact and very good. Minor chip to high-pointed areas. On a custom stand with a label plate on the side.