large Copper (Kidwell Coll.)

Item Description

Drastically sculptural large 360-degree matrix copper with multiple display views from the well-known Caledonia Mine of the historic Copper Country of Michigan. Bright hackly copper is dramatically embedded in the contrasting thermally altered basalt greenstone matrix. The piece has a striking cartoon- or fantasy-like biomorphic look in some views with the copper neck and head with a cockscomb, bulging body with stubby legs and a copper-greenstone tail. The specimen has been cleaned to enhance the beautiful patina. The mine was intermittently active from 1863 until 2013 (mindat). The specimen was recovered while Red Metal Explorations owned the mine from 1985 until 2013. An impressive large matrix copper from the locale. Ex Al Kidwell Collection. Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.