MEXICO

Details

PINK SMITHSONITE
MEXICO
from Choix, Sinaloa Province, of natural form
3¾in. (9.5cm.) wide

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

These old smithsonites from a small artisanal (hand tool worked) mine in Choix, once worked for lead, have produced some of the world's most beautiful specimens of smithsonite, a lead carbonate mineral species. Collectors today still treasure these old classics, though they only turn up on the market out of old collections. The present specimen has a particularly nice display face with rolling hillocks of natural pastel colour, and no damage at all. It would date before 2000, when the last finds came out. Smithsonite of this particular colour and shape combination is unique to this location.

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