North America, Southwestern United States, Arizona, Late Triassic, ca. 225 million years ago. A fantastic pair of fossilized, petrified wood pieces - thick blocks that are cut and polished to reveal the interior rings of the tree! They are highly polished on 3 of the planar sides to showcase the interior coloration and graining. The exterior bark is fossilized, replaced by rough stone, while the smooth interior features incredible quartz, agate swirls, and striations in hues of dark espresso and creamy white. This is a stunning pair to display, or to use as bookends! Size: 5" L x 5" W x 6" H (12.7 cm x 12.7 cm x 15.2 cm)

The petrification process involves the rapid burial of the tree or pieces under sediment which prevents the usual decay. Flooding and volcanic activity are usually responsible for creating the layers of sand, silt, and ash needed to create the right types and amount of sediment. Mineralized water can then permeate through the wood, coating cell walls and filling the intercellular cavities which then fossilizes into stone. The detailed preservation of the wood, including knots, rings, and bark, are possible because the organic wood molecules become coated and surrounded with smaller silica molecules.

Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#159988

Professionally cut and polished. Felt pads added to 2 planar faces on both for stability. Natural striations and chips.