Lot 904
King Tutankamun Style Scarab Made From Libyan Desert
Glass Plus Large Libyan Desert Glass Nugget. When Howard Carter discovered King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1992, one of the precious metal amulets had a scarab carved out of a green colored glass that was clearly special as it was the center stone in the amulet. It turned out to be a piece of Libyan Desert Glass and was dated at 28 million years old. Libyan Desert Glass actually is a tektite of almost pure silica which formed 28 million years ago when a large meteorite exploded over the desert vaporizing itself and a lot of the sand at temperatures in exess of 3000 degrees. The molten sand quickly cooled and fell back to earth in a variety of shapes as pale yellow-green glass. These gemstones were highly valued by the ancient Egyptians and they continue to be so valued today. Libyan Desert Glass is only found in one section of the Great Sand Sea between Libya and Egypt and the likely meteorite crater named Kebira over 19 miles in diameter was found near the Libya-Egypt border. This lot contains a 1.25 inch long Egyptian style scarab similar in the style and size to one in King Tut's amulet plus a very large 3.25 x 2.25 inch 203 gram premium pale green nugget of Libyan Desrt Glass with a meteorite-like surface of craters and scoops. Both specimens are housed in a 8 x 6 inch Riker mount.
Add $15.00 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $400 - 500.
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| Realized $380 |
