Ever wondered how much it would cost you to acquire some dinosaur fossils for your parlor or buy a wooly rhinoceros skeleton for your foyer? How about a huge nugget of gold or some crystals from outer space? Look no further.
On May 27, Bonhams New York will present their highly anticipated Natural History auction featuring fossils, meteorites, amber, lapidary arts, minerals, and exotic gemstone jewelry. The exhibition at Bonhams’ galleries on Madison Avenue and 57th Street opens to the public on Saturday, May 22.
"Sales of fossils at our October 2009 auction in Las Vegas broke multiple world auction records," points out co-director of Bonhams' Natural History Department, Thomas E. Lindgren. "With the upward sales trend in this collecting area, expectations are running high."
Highlighting the sale is a 12-foot Xiphactinus audax fossil, from the Niobrara Formation of Western Kansas. The formation was created by an ancient ocean that lay over much of the Great Plains of the United States and Canada. The largest of all bony fish species, the Xiphactinus audax existed during the Cretaceous Period, which started 145 million years ago following the Jurassic period, and lasted for 80 million years. The fossil is estimated to go for $150,000-200,000.
Also of great interest are several examples of Ice Age mega fauna (very large mammals): a Woolly Rhinoceros skeleton; a Stegodon skull from Asia; and a Giant Ground Sloth skull. The fully mounted Woolly Rhinoceros skeleton has an estimated worth of $70,000-90,000. The extremely rare Stegadon specimen is estimated at $60,000-80,000 and the Giant Ground Sloth skull at $50,000-60,000.
Gemstones, Jewelry, Minerals and Gold
Collectors of rare gemstones will also be excited by a very large faceted, bright royal blue Tanzanite, which is increasingly difficult to obtain in the United States due to trade embargoes enacted by the Tanzanian government. Carrying an estimated value of $18,000-25,000, this cushion-cut stone weighs an impressive 71.98 carats and is still wearable.
The Exotic Gemstone Jewelry section features the works of several "new" artists: Angela Conty, Steven Battelle, Loretta Law and Helen Serras-Herman. They are all fine goldsmiths, designers or gem sculptors, with decades of experience in their fields. Their works are being offered for the first time at public auction.
Among the most highly desirable jewelry lots is a black opal and diamond pendent in the shape of a butterfly. Obtained directly from the miner, it features a 18.27 carat black opal from Lightning Ridge, Australia, mounted as a pendant, the design and name of which – Schmetterling (Butterfly) – was inspired by the shape and rare color play of the magnificent stone. Estimated price is $35,000-40,000.
A collection of 850 mineral eggs carved in the renowned gem-cutting center of Idar-Oberstein, Germany is also expected to draw attention. Estimated at $150,000-200,000, the group was formed over a 40-year period by noted gemstone carver, Dieter Jerusalem, now retired. It includes pink tourmaline from California and other precious materials such as morganite, amber, aquamarine and many minerals from mines now long closed.
Large gold nuggets feature prominently in the Minerals section with an unusually large one from the frigid waters of Alaska, estimated worth $30,000-$40,000.
Dinosauria
Dinosauria lots to be offered include a large leg bone from a Brachiosaurus, estimated at $15,000-20,000, and an impressive and unique Tyrannosaurus Rex tooth, estimated at $12,000-15,000. It is thought to have been swallowed by the dinosaur during combat or predation.
Meteorites
A selection of 30 meteorites, ranging in estimated value from $600 to $75,000, will also be offered. Standing out is a Pallasite specimen originally from the collection of the British Museum of Natural History. Containing olivine crystals, which are sometimes referred to as "gemstones from outer space," the lot is estimated at $13,500-16,000.
The auction begins on May 27 at 1 p.m. The illustrated auction catalog for the sale is presently online at www.bonhams.com/newyork.
Source: The Epoch Times