Baryte included by Malachite on Malachite stalactite - image 1

Baryte included by Malachite on Malachite stalactite - image 2

Baryte included by Malachite on Malachite stalactite - image 3

Baryte included by Malachite on Malachite stalactite - image 4

Baryte included by Malachite on Malachite stalactite

At first sight, you can only take a minute to reassess, and try to figure out what you are looking at. The combination of shape and color and form is simply not "normal" and it took me a few seconds to focus on what I was seeing. Tim Sherburn loved Baryte, had access to numerous English collections with old Richard Barstow pieces in them, and hoarded a few of them until his recent sale of the collection. This is absolutely unique in that it is not only one of the most colorful barytes i can imagine but is also aesthetic and 360 degrees, complete all around. It is an antique from 1960s probably, and has excellent label provenance. At first thought, I really thought it was calcite! The crystals are sparkling and brilliant gems and like Tsumeb calcite in style, but on Congo malachite. Actually, they are not just on malachite of any kind, but they coat the top bubble of a malachite stalactite. On the bottom, you can see the layers and clearly understand this is some very old Congo material!

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Barite, Malachite

SizeSmall Cabinet

Dimensions5.8 x 5.7 x 4.7 cm

Locality

DR Congo, Haut-Katanga, Shinkolobwe Mine

Added on10/23/2024

Comments

Known provenance

2024/08