Originally listed at $400

North America, Northwestern United States, Oregon, Eocene period, ca. 37 million years ago. A beautiful flab of cut and polished fossilized or "petrified" wood, featuring gorgeous black surface with gray and white striations radiating from the core rings. The white quartzite formations resemble lightning bolts flicking out from a cyclone! The petrification process involves the rapid burial of the tree or pieces under sediment which prevents the usual decay- in Oregon, these trees were primarily preserved due to volcanic activity from the "volcanic arc" in the Cascade mountain range. Size: 10.25" L x 0.75" W x 7" H (26 cm x 1.9 cm x 17.8 cm); 7.5" H (19 cm) on included custom stand.

Flooding or volcanic activity are usually responsible for 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 Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection

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.

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#174780

Professionally cut and polished. Natural cavities and stable pressure fissures. The obverse face surface is coated with a clear fixative to preserve the surface and infill the larger gaps and cavities. Gorgeous coloration!