large botryoidal Malachite

Item Description

Tonglushan Malachites are a classic of China - both of mineral collectors and culturally for the raw material of industry. Yet, they are seldom exported and seen outside China, and in fact outside the region of Hubei province where the mine is. This is a dramatically sculptural large malachite from this ancient and still active mine, where the Chinese Bronze Age started around 2500 years ago. A striking, vertical, 7.8 cm-tall knobby, doubly terminated malachite "plume" artistically rests atop an impressive undulating field of large bubbly botryoids. The smooth faces, unlike those from most African malachites, fine lustre and rich green color add much character to this exceptional specimen. The attachment on the back shows the dense malachite banding of the botryoids, adding character. Quite different from Congo material, in person, and from one of the oldest copper mining locations on earth, still going after 2500 years. Rarely on the market, as the miners did not realize there was a market for these. Thus, these amazing malachites from China itself were mostly destroyed even as African material was selling, and I am thrilled to have rescued as many as I have from that fate, some several dozen over the last few years. While most are damaged in mining and handling, there are the occasional treasures that have come our way. Valued at $2000-2500. This is a particularly nice example in teh size and clearly ahs different texture and style than African material you may otherwise see in the market.