Iron, ataxite (ungrouped)  Ryazan district, Russia 

Lot Description:
Dronino possesses the most idiosyncratic and alluring surface texture of any known meteorite and this specimen is a superior representation. Evoking the shape of South America, striations run longitudinally. Commencing on the left margin, the striations are smoothly elongated as they arc across the thickest part of the mass. When the meteorite begins to taper at the midpoint, a crenelated texture with rounded points dominates. A pewter to platinum patina wraps the meteorite’s surface. Accompanied by a custom pedestal and armature, no other meteorite looks like Dronino and this is a superior example.
207 x 171 x 65mm (8 x 6.75 x 2.5 in.)
4.411kg (9.75 lbs)

Originating from the Asteroid Belt, recovered in Russia and evoking South America. The unusual surface texture of Dronino iron meteorites is the result of its unique chemical composition, the alkalinity of the soil into which it fell and the amount of water to which it was exposed for over 1,000 years. Dronino meteorites belong to the exclusive “ungrouped” population of iron meteorites. While 90% of iron meteorites are members of established chemical groups, the other 10% are chemically unrelated to other specimens. Dronino is one of these unusual, ungrouped irons. They were first discovered in 2000 by a mushroom hunter outside an ancient town founded in 1152. As nothing was ever written about what would have been an exceedingly memorable event of a fireball accompanied by smoke trails and sonic booms, it’s likely that Dronino’s arrival occurred when the area was unpopulated. Given the high degree of terrestrial weathering (which is chiefly responsible for the unusual shapes of Dronino specimens), a descent to Earth more than a millennium ago can be confidently inferred. Hewn by forces both on and off Earth, the result is this natural sculpture from outer space.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue.

Macovich Collection of Meteorites, NYC