Object Description
A Collection of natural history specimens in an antique glazed display case. Housing 27 exquisite fossils and minerals this is truly a cabinet of curiosities; including three corals, two ammonites, desert rose, citrine, calcite, malachite, chrysocolla, amethyst, and petrified wood.
All formed over thousands of years displaying superb quality. This is an exquisite decorative piece, worthy of a museum, to put on display inside any home or workspace.
Dating to circa 1900, the glazed bronze and ebonised wood table top cabinet is lined with material on the inside, housing the specimens perfectly.
The specimens are all loose and can be rearranged as desired.
Here’s more on each natural specimen…
Amethyst
Amethyst has a long history as a gemstone. In the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, it was highly valued and was used to create cylinder seals, engraved with religious designs and the owners name. While, ancient Egyptians also valued amethyst, using it in much of their jewellery.
Traditionally associated with purity and piety, amethyst has always been favoured by royalty as purple is considered a regal hue. In modern times, amethyst is both faceted and polished, used as a carving material, and frequently worn as jewellery.
Its name comes from the Greek “a-methystos”, meaning not drunk.
Malachite
Named for its distinctive form resembling a bunch of grapes, this vibrant green, copper-based mineral has a beautiful variation of natural tone, with highlights of white.
The bulbous botryoidal clusters vary in size and shape, naturally formed over thousands of years. Prized since ancient times as an ornamental stone, deposits of malachite are found across the globe but specimens from Congo offer some of the world’s finest.
Ammonite
Over 200 million years old, this ammonite fossil dates from the Triassic period and has been polished to create a beautiful glossy, lustre, revealing its complex structure. The striking, naturally formed pattern known as jigsaw showcases suture lines with a diversity of sedimental infills and calcite colours. It is a superb natural specimen, making quite the collector’s or sculptural artwork piece.
Coral
Formed by nature over hundreds of years, these coral specimens, of the finger and brain variety, showcase a spectacular range of natural formations, beautiful textures and rich tones.
Citrine
This orange or yellow variety of quartz, with a similar structure to amethyst, gets its name from the old French word for lemon. Known as the stone of weath and wisdom, its warm colour is said to be a gift from the sun and is typically used to bring warmth and brightness to interiors.
It has been a popular gemstone since ancient times, deeply appreciated and used as jewellery by Chinese emperors.
Calcite
Formed over millions of years, this natural calcite specimen showcases spectacular dogtooth scalenohedral crystals – also known as dogtooth spar – and has a light coloured, almost translucent quality.
Chrysocolla
Showcasing a blue-green colour, chrysocolla is a minor ore of copper. It has an opaque surface and vitreous to dull lustre, often found in rounded masses, vein fillings or crusts.
The meaning of chrysocolla is communication, teaching, and transformation.
Desert rose ammonite
Selenite, also known as satin spar, desert rose or gypsum flower, are four crystal structure varieties of the mineral gypsum. The specimen originates from the deserts of Mexico.
Additional information
Overall box size: 91.5cm x 43.5cm x 7.5cm (36in x 17.13 x 2.95in)
For size reference the pink/purple mineral is approx 13cm x 13cm (5.9in x 5.9in)