J12-510
Willemite
Potosi Mine, West Camp, Santa Eulalia District, Chihuahua, Mexico
Small Cabinet, 9.0 x 8.4 x 5.0 cm
Ex. Dr. Gary Hansen
SOLD
An old classic, seldom seen today! The stalactites and tentacles of this piece give it real dimensionality and character. It is sparkling and somehow "colorful" despite its gray-brown hue. The size is good, to fit in with other significant Mexican specimens in most collections. These willemites were found in the 1950s and 1960s, I am told (but unsure of more detail). I had seen only a handful before, until the Prince collection came to light and we found her stash of dozens of these specimens. However, this was an older piece I obtained in purchasing the old Gary Hansen collection, and it has more 3-dimensionality and luster than most such that I have seen either in old collections or in some of the newly resurfaced material from the Prince collection (which I also bought and have been selling in the auction site). Joe Budd photos.