North America, Pacific North West, Oregon, Eocene period, ca. 37 million years ago. A fantastic pair of fossilized, petrified wood bookends from an ancient oak tree - cut and polished to reveal the interior rings of the tree! 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. 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 in earthen tones. This is a stunning pair to display, or to use as bookends! Size of 1 slab: 7.25" L x 2" W x 10" H (18.4 cm x 5.1 cm x 25.4 cm)

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 southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

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#159917

Professionally cut and polished. Felt pads added to sides for stability and prevent scratches on furniture.