natural history

Press Releases tagged with natural history

Chicken in front of early 19th century clock escapement raises the question, "What does time look like?" Is it cyclical like the chicken-and-egg conundrum or linear like the steady beat of a clock?

Time and Time Again: How Science and Culture Shape the Past, Present, and Future

Released: April 17, 2013

Time: We find it, keep it, measure it, obey it, rely on it, waste it, save it, chop it and try to stop it. We organize our lives around it, and yet, do we really know what time is? Drawing upon collections in Harvard’s scientific, historical, archaeological, anthropological, and natural history museums and libraries, this exhibition explores the answers given to that question in various ages by different world cultures and disciplines. Themes include time finding from nature and time keeping by human artifice. Visitors will explore cultural beliefs about the c...

Lot 502: Important and rare, large 15th Century Chinese Ming Dynasty porcelain charger; central reverse design of writhing dragon amid crashing waves, surrounded on the cavetto with a continuous band of lotus blossoms borne on a single undulating stem with lobed leaves; the exterior with a band of five-toed dragons chasing flaming pearls; six-character Xuande Mark and of the Period; D: 49 cm, H: 9 cm (Estimate: $150,000-250,000)

888 Auctions' October 20 Sale Showcase 15th Century Xuande Period Blue & White Reverse Dragon Charger

Released: October 2, 2011

Richmond Hill, ON – 888 Auctions’ October 20th sale of Important Chinese Ceramics & Asian Works of Art in Richmond Hill will showcase over 600 lots of an exciting array of Chinese porcelains and Asian works of art. Highlighting the autumn sale will be an Important 15th Century Chinese Blue & White Reverse Dragon Charger, Xuande Period, Ming Dynasty (lot 502). This exceptional porcelain charger painted in deep cobalt blue features a central medallion of a reverse design of a carved writhing dragon. Surrounded on the cavetto with a continuous band of lotus blossoms borne on a single u...

This beautifully preserved, silicified coniferous log was cut and polished into a vertical cross-section pair. Discovered in northwestern China, the pair of log sections stands an impressive 9 ft. 3 in. tall. Each section weighs in at approximately 4,000 lbs. Sold for $109,800 inclusive of Buyer's Premium.

'Tis the Season to Sparkle - Colored Stones, Curiosities, Gold and Jewelry Shine During Holiday Auction of Natural History

Released: December 11, 2009

"There was competitive bidding for many lots, both on the telephones and in the salesroom for natural wonders of all sorts. Colored stones, curiosities, gold nuggets and unique jewelry were the true highlights of the holiday Natural History auction at Bonhams & Butterfields," said Thomas Lindgren, Co-Consulting Director, Natural History. The top lot of the winter sale in Los Angeles was a magnificent petrified wood log split into two lengthwise and handsomely polished. The pair was comprised of predominantly quartz and agate minerals in the brilliant hues of red, orange, tan ...

The Winter Palace, an illuminated music box fabricated of Rock Crystal Quartz, Diamonds and Aquamarines, highlights the lapidary works of art section of the winter sale (est. Estimate $250,000-300,000).

Merry & Bright Gold, Gemstones and Jewelry Shine at Holiday Natural History Auction at Bonhams & Butterfields

Released: November 25, 2009

International auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields, will hold its annual holiday auction of Natural History on Sunday, December 6, 2009. The sale will feature a diverse group of distinctive and high quality mineral specimens, exceptional fossils, gold nuggets and unusual jewelry including a selection of "phenomenal" gems as well as lapidary works of art. The Winter Palace, an illuminated music box fabricated of Rock Crystal Quartz, Diamonds and Aquamarines, highlights the lapidary works of art section of the winter sale (est. Estimate $250,000-300,000). Designed in the form of...

Leading the auction is a selection of the human artifacts from the Ed Francis Collection.

Human History for the Holidays, December Natural History Auction to Feature The Ed Francis Collection of Human Artifacts

Released: November 25, 2009

From the scientific to the superbly decorative, astoundingly unique fossil specimens will be offered by international auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields on December 6, 2009 in Los Angeles. The 500 lot sale offers a diverse group of high quality and distinctive mineral specimens, gold nuggets, lapidary works of art, gemstones and jewelry as well as exceptional examples of fossils and human history. Leading the auction is a selection of the human artifacts from the Ed Francis Collection. Known for his discovery of the first Lower Paleolithic hand axe site on the Arabian Peninsu...