Iron, coarse octahedriteMeteor Crater, Coconino County, Arizona (35°3’ N, 111°2’ W)

Details

CANYON DIABLO END PIECE FROM THE BEST PRESERVED METEORITE CRATER ON EARTH

Iron, coarse octahedrite
Meteor Crater, Coconino County, Arizona (35°3’ N, 111°2’ W)
A lacquer finish exists over the robust Widmanstätten pattern seen on the cut face with large graphite nodules also in evidence. On the reverse, the meteorite’s exterior surface is rendered in a slate-hued patina, with soft scalloping and chocolate-hued accents. Accompanied by a custom armature and pedestal. Modern cutting.
133 x 42 x 47mm (5¼ x 1 2/3 x 1¾ in.)
1,345g (3lbs)

Literature

Blumberg, J. (1999), “Rutgers Researchers Team With International Group To Investigate One of the Most Famous Meteorites in the World.” Near Earth Object Program. Accessed November 5, 2015.

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Lot Essay

About 49,000 years ago, this iron meteorite was part of a metallic asteroid that plowed into the Arizona desert with the force of more than 100 atomic bombs. The enormous burst of energy vaporized most of the asteroid and created a kilometer-size impact crater in what was, just moments before, flat-lying rock. This is the renowned “Meteor Crater” near Winslow, Arizona, the most famous and best-preserved meteorite crater in the world. The chunks of iron that survived the impact are known as Canyon Diablo (“Canyon of the Devil”), the quintessential American meteorites, prized by museums and private collectors everywhere. Now offered is an end piece that reveals the meteorite’s gleaming, finely textured exterior surface in addition to a cut and polished window highlighting its interior matrix.

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