Schalenblende carved box - Stoudt Coll.

Item Description

A rare and striking polished box of schalenblende from a classic locale in Poland. The striking concentric layers with reniform surfaces consist of alternating bands of sphalerite (brown to yellow), marcasite and galena (grey inclusions). Wurtzite (as often reported to be a component of the Polish Schalenblende) could not be detected by XRD analysis, according to a report. The color variation of the sphalerite is due to grain size and (minor) to the iron content. It is regarded as a classic lapidary material. Complete inside and outside. One corner of the lid is repaired, but you can hardly tell. An outstanding and seldom available example from the Dave Stoudt Collection. Dave worked and lived as a geologist in Poland and made good contacts with the miners there. Definitely art in stone! 786 grams or 1.7 pounds.