Lot 1193
Exceptionally Large 764 Gm Piece Of Libyan Desert Glass. One of the most highly-prized jewels in ancient Egypt was the Libyan Desert Glass. Found only between the mega-dunes of the Great Sand Sea in the Western desert of Egypt near the border with the Sudan. This greenish desert glass was used to make Scarabs and other jewels. An amulet in King Tut’s tomb had a scarab as its center featured device. Libyan Desert Glass is actually nearly pure quartz (SiO2) grains that were melted and fused together about 30 million years ago in a huge meteorite impact. Just recently the 19 mile-in-diameter crater made by this meteorite impact was discovered right on the border between Egypt and Libya. It has been named the Kehiaa crater, which means "large." Most pieces of this desert glass are only 20-50 gms in size. Large pieces such as this spectacular 764 gm, 4 ¾" 3" 3" specimen are usually only seen in museums. As always, the top side is smooth and polished by the wind and the bottom side is rougher and naturally porous. Temperatures over 3,000 degrees F. were necessary to turn sand into this green glass. Only a meteorite impact could create such temperatures. Add $20 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000.
|
| |
| Realized $930 |
