Description:

North America, Western United States, Nevada, Hubbard Basin, Miocene, ca. 23 to 5 million years ago. A superb piece of fossilized or petrified wood, the slab professionally cut and polished to a mirror finish on one face to show off the magnificent coloration within. The organic material and inner rings have been replaced by colorful quartz, chalcedony in swirling hues of dark blue, red, oche, mauve, creamy white, and black. There are several natural cavities or vugs with glittering crystalline structures! A beautiful display piece that is reminiscent of an interstellar nebula! Size: 11.5" L x 0.5" W x 10" H (29.2 cm x 1.3 cm x 25.4 cm); 10.75" H (27.3 cm) on included custom stand.

The petrification process involves the rapid burial of the tree or pieces under sediment which prevents the usual decay. Flooding and volcanic activity are usually responsible for creating the layers of sand, silt, and ash needed to create the right types and amount of sediment. Mineralized water can then permeate through the wood, coating cell walls and filling the intercellular cavities which then fossilizes into stone. The detailed preservation of the wood, including knots, rings, and bark, are possible because the organic wood molecules become coated and surrounded with smaller silica molecules.

Provenance: private Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection

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#174781

  • Condition: Professionally cut and polished with mirror finish on obverse, and slightly more matte on verso. Stable fissures and repaired break lines, and natural vug cavities in surface. Clear protective sealant on surface and in break line gaps. Great coloration throughout.

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October 13, 2022 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000