Copper "Feathers" (Miner Carving)
Unknown Owner
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What the heck is this?! It is a very FINE, large, uncommonly good example of the kind of sculpture made by miners in the late 1800s and early 1900s to while the time away between shifts or on breaks, and in fact the skill of carving these "flowers" with dull metal chisels was a highly refined and competitive art form. I have seen a number over the years of SINGLES. but for somebody to create a group like this without it coming apart, as they chisel the solid copper mass, requires incredible skill. I have not seen better for sale and my friends who know more tell me that this really is one of the best examples surviving. The Seaman Musuem has a bigger, but different one. This one is not only good for the number of feathers and size, but also for the fact that it was done in a precise manner to make it as elegant as possible. Usually the chisel carvings are one-directional, not 3-dimensional as this one. Traditionally, these sell among collectors of mining ephemera for $1000 per feather, in clusters. Most clusters are only 2-4 feathers, of course, so that makes them affordable. This has NINE good feathers, and so is worth $9000 as these go (I am told). I can tell you that for the money, you get a lot of impact from the public and even most knowledgeable collectors thinking this is natural, because of its elegance. Anyways, its not made in the ground but it IS nevertheless a ahighly significant Michigan mining artifact, that fits in well with a fine mineral collection of coppers. Comes with custom lucite display base.
Product details
SpeciesCopper
SizeLarge Cabinet
Dimensions15.3 x 8.0 x 6.8 cm
Added on10/23/2024
LocalityUSA, Michigan, Calumet & Hecla Mine
Known provenance
| Date | Collector | Acquisition price |
|---|---|---|
| 08/2024 | Unknown Owner | Not disclosed |
| — | The Arkenstone | Not disclosed |
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Mineral guide
Learn about Copper
native copper with spinel-twinned crystals and arborescences; notable from Lake Superior, Itauz, Dongchuan, Corocoro, prized for color and localities.Regional guide
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