Africa, Namibia, Gibeon, fall dates to prehistoric times, meteorite discovered by Captain J.E. Alexander in 1838 CE. A wonderful knife comprised of a Gibeon meteorite slab cut in modern times to resemble a long-beaked bird with a drilled large 'eye', a large round Lapis Lazuli inlay adorning the 'body', and a sharp edge beneath the beak - drilled at the back end for suspension or attachment. The Gibeon meteorite fell during prehistoric times in Namibia and was named for the closest town. The Nama people used these meteorites, composed of iron-nickel alloys containing significant amounts of phosphorus and cobalt, to make weapons and tools. Its crystal structure is a quintessential example of fine octahedrite, and its so-called Widmanstatten pattern is admired by designers and collectors. Size: 4.375" L x 1" W (11.1 cm x 2.5 cm) Size: 4.375" L x 1" W (11.1 cm x 2.5 cm)

Captain J. E. Alexander first reported the Gibeon meteorite in 1838 on the east side of Great Fish River. Most certainly the native villagers were aware of these masses of iron up to two feet square; however, Europeans recovered many of the masses in the 19th century. Its chemical composition consists of 90% iron, 8% nickel, .4% cobalt, and .4% phosphorus.

Provenance: private Hagar collection, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

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#127508

Lapis inlay is excellent. Some deposits on meteorite knife. Overall excellent.