Yorick was carved by Lee Downey from a single piece of Gideon meteorite

A spectacular piece of art is hitting the auction block at Bonhams on November 24th 2015, and it is certainly turning heads! The stunning life size skull is hand carved from a single block of Gibeon meteorite by artist Lee Downey.
The meteorite was originally 615 pounds and is approximately 4 billion years old. Scientists say that it was once a part of planet that orbited between Mars and Jupiter. When it broke apart, the iron mass flew through space for 4 billion long years before exploding over the Kalahari Desert in Namibia a thousand years ago.
Downey is an artist that is well known for working with unusual materials. He originally purchased the meteorite years ago with the intention of creating the skull.
Once it was carved he washed the skull in a nitric acid bath to reveal natural gray-and-white line pattern called Widmanstätten. The pattern occurs due to a prolonged heating process in the vacuum of space where are no surrounding molecules to help cool an object down. The acid bath also revealed a very rare orange tridymite crystal on the sculpture’s forehead.
A rare and singular combination of natural history and modern art weighing in at 21,080 grams.
One-of-a-Kind without a doubt.

“Yorick” by Lee Downey will be auctioned November 24 by Bonhams Los Angeles (7601 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles) in its Lapidary Works of Art, Gemstones, and Minerals sale.

Photos are all courtesy of Bonhams

Buccellati Gold Maple Leaf Clip-On EarringsFrom Luxury Bazaar has been sold — Buccellati Gold Maple Leaf Clip-On Earrings
From Luxury Bazaar has been sold

Every autumn the leaves put on a fashion show of their own, why not join them?

Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. old Aspen Leaf PinOFFERED BY BETTERIDGE — Tiffany & Co. old Aspen Leaf Pin
OFFERED BY BETTERIDGE

David Webb

David Webb 18k Gold Double Leaf Drop EarclipsAvailable from Betteridge — David Webb 18k Gold Double Leaf Drop Earclips
Available from Betteridge

JAR

JAR Fig Leaf Earringsfrom David Precious Gems has been sold. — JAR Fig Leaf Earrings
from David Precious Gems has been sold.

A PAIR OF MOSS AGATE AND GOLD EAR PENDANTS, BY JAR Sold by Christies

PAIR OF GILT METAL 'GERANIUM ' EARCLIPS, JAR, PARIS

Seaman Schepps

SEAMAN SCHEPPS Citrine & Pearl Cluster Earrings with Diamond  Sold by Betteridge — SEAMAN SCHEPPS Citrine & Pearl Cluster Earrings with Diamond
Sold by Betteridge

Buccellati

Bucellati, with their Roman roots, in my opinion, are the masters of leaf jewelry. Realistic, yet fashionable they have wonderful choices for brightening up any fall day.

Buccellati Mexican Opal Gold Leaf BroochOFFERED BY LANG ANTIQUES — Buccellati Mexican Opal Gold Leaf Brooch
OFFERED BY LANG ANTIQUES

Buccellati Gold Cuff BraceletOFFERED BY ALICE KWARTLER ANTIQUES — Buccellati Gold Cuff Bracelet
OFFERED BY ALICE KWARTLER ANTIQUES

The Ancient World: wreaths of gold

irca 2nd century BCE - 2nd century CE, Central Asia Courtesy of The Curators Eye

Golden oak wreath  from the Dardanelles  Fourth century BC — Golden oak wreath from the Dardanelles Fourth century BC

Wreaths worn as a crown are among the more recognizable symbols of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Awarded for various accomplishments, or simply as symbols of status and rank, wreaths might be made from the leaves of such plants as olive, ivy, oak, myrtle or laurel.

Meda’s wreath from the tomb of Philip II Gold, some 80 leaves and 112 flowers surviving, c. 310 BC

Wreaths of mixed foliage, particularly fashioned in precious metal, are also believed to have been made as funerary objects or as offerings at temples. (An example can be found in the museum at the Roman baths in Bath, England)

The conquests of Alexander the Great, and the later expansion of the Roman Empire resulted in the appearance of such items far beyond the boundaries of modern Greece and Italy. The Asian wreath depicted above is was reportedly recovered in modern day China, yet it bears a remarkable similarity to those of ancient Rome and Greece. This may be due to the fact that China is a region which saw tremendous cross-cultural contact exchange due to the trade routes of the famed Silk Road.