Arsenopyrite in Talc (rare) ex Sir Robert Ferguson (1769-1840)

Item Description

A very rare old-time combination piece from the famous silver mines at Freiberg. Sharp, bronzy arsenopyrite crystals to about 7 mm float in a talc matrix. Arsenopyrite is uncommon, but talc specimens are VERY RARE, so the combination is extra-rare. This piece dates (according to a label) to the collection of Sir Robert Ferguson (1769-1840). He was a member of Parliament and the landed nobility from Fife, Scotland (he had stopped collecting by 1810 AS A RESULT OF A DIVORCE SETTLEMENT INVOLVING LORD ELGIN, OF THE MARBLES FAME! ). A real antique! From a major rarities collection. Heavier, than you would imagine, with the talc, at 127 grams. There must be much more arsenopyrite inside.