Superb Baryte (OLD classic - pre 1878) 19th C. Zurich Coll.

Item Description

An OLD-TIME, superb rare small cabinet barite from the historic rich Ag-polymetallic Baia Sprie Mine , that was mined continuously from the 1300s until 2006 (MINDAT). The exquisite and pristine sculptural "butterfly" consists of striking diverging parallel-growth clusters of very glassy, translucent to transparent, terminated, tabular gray barite prisms. The imposing large blade is 5.7 cm wide. From a 19th century Zurich collection and comes with a rare old pre-1878 label noting Hungary at the time. Romania was part of Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1878, when Romania was recognized by the Great Powers as an independent state (Wikipedia). Simply an exceptional and aesthetic old-time barite from Romania. This extraordinary piece is a dead-ringer for classic Cumbria, England barites and is MUCH rarer! Valued $2400-3000. This is a major historic speicmen!