Siderite (CLASSIC LOCALE)

Item Description

This is a gorgeous siderite specimen no matter where it is from, with sharp crystals of a rich amber hue, and nice display impact. Old French siderites are among the European "classics" that we hear about, read about in old books, but seldom see in person. This sharp cluster has large crystals to several inches, a fine shiny luster, and really intricate "swirling" form to the fat rhombohedra that compose it such that they look curved, as if in motion. This is an old piece, though no telling how old (I am told a nice pocket was found here in the late 1970s, though we know this is from much older finds given Ed's ownership and the other old numbering noted below). The specimen was sold by dealer Herb Obodda into the first collection of Dr. Ed David by the mid 1990s, which sold in the late 1990s. Obodda bought it back and kept it in his collection, and it retained Ed's distinct catalogue number 29T on the bottom when we obtained it from Obodda somewhat later in 2008. The number did not come off in cleaning the specimen properly, because we took care to protect it with a sealant first, before cleaning - so it remains as Ed painted it back in the 1990s. An older number, '300' in red ink, is also present. This could relate to the old collection of a certain museum we have seen similar numbering from, although there is no proof of that. Speaking of which, this is actually a floater, crystallized all the way around, even (crudely) on the bottom. Overall very aesthetic and dramatic for a Siderite and especially for an older French specimen! The professional photos were taken by Joe Budd in 2011 for a book on the Obodda collection (which we sadly never finished). Formerly in both the Herb Obodda and the Ed David collections. Dr. David was Nixon's White House Science Chief, among other roles, and a good friend and collector. He specialized in modern quality aesthetics for antique and rare species. Valued $1500-2500.