Although the majority of iron meteorites were derived from the iron cores of asteroids following a catastrophic collision with another asteroid, Nantan and other IAB irons, probably formed near the surface of a chondritic body following a massive collision. The Nantan meteorite shower occurred hundreds of years ago in southern China’s Guangxi Province, about 250 miles northeast of Hanoi, Vietnam. Nantan samples were first recognized as meteorites and recovered in 1958 in a strewn field extending 17 x 5 miles. There was a shortage of iron in China at that time and the meteorites were taken to blast furnaces in an effort to increase steel production. However, because the meteorite’s nickel content is close to 7%, the melting point of the samples was too high for processing.

This example was slabbed to reveal its robust and mesmerizing medium octahedral crystalline pattern — a pattern which is diagnostic in the identification of an iron meteorite. Troilite (iron sulfide) inclusions are also in evidence. The natural outer rim of the meteorite borders three sides of the specimen with a straight cut along the base which provides a resemblance to an “R” in the Roman alphabet or the “я” in the Cyrillic alphabet (also the word for “I”) depending upon the side exhibited.

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


227 x 189 x 8mm (9 x 7.5 x 0.33 in.) and 2501g (5.5 lbs)