EXTRATERRESTRIAL HAMSA-SHAPED FLANGE — DRONINO METEORITE

EXTRATERRESTRIAL HAMSA-SHAPED FLANGE — DRONINO METEORITE

Iron, ataxite (ungrouped)

Ryazan district, Russia (54° 44' N, 41° 25' E)

125 x 149 x 32mm (5 x 5.75 x 1.25 in.) and 1,021g (2.25 lbs)

Dronino is a highly exotic meteorite which belongs to the exclusive “ungrouped” population of iron meteorites; while 90% of iron meteorites are members of established chemical groups, the other 10% are chemically unrelated to other specimens. Dronino is one of these unusual, ungrouped irons which originated from a previously unsampled asteroid, thus it’s distinctiveness. Also, given the large percentage of nickel it contains, Dronino is intrinsically, in terms of its melt value, one of the most valuable meteorites to exist. Dronino meteorites were first discovered in 2000 by a mushroom hunter outside an ancient town founded in 1152. As nothing was ever written about what would have been its memorable arrival, it’s likely Dronino’s journey through interplanetary space ended when the area was unpopulated. Hewn by forces both on and off Earth, the result is this exotic extraterrestrial approximation of a hamsa, a Middle Eastern amulet which many Jews and Muslims believe is a symbol of protection against the evil eye. This meteorite exudes an unusual artifact-like character. Accented with chrome highlights and patches of russet-hued oxidation, this otherworldly conversation piece is accompanied by a custom armature.

PROVENANCE

Macovich Collection of Meteorites, New York City