SUPERB AMBER CARVING. ...

Description

SUPERB AMBER CARVING
Oligocene
Dominican Republic
Amber is the common name for fossilized tree resin which seeped from the trunks and branches of prehistoric flora 30-90 million years ago. The sticky oozing substance would often trap small pieces of floral debris and even insects, but the piece from which this exceptional carving has been fashioned is, remarkably, almost entirely devoid of such inclusions, and even displays few of the naturally formed darker planes that occur as the resin slowly solidifies. These darker areas have been skillfully incorporated into the body of a finely-rendered bird of prey clutching a snake in its talons, perched on a rocky outcrop which displays almost complete clarity. The whole piece has been brought to a high polish and glows with the warm soft golden and honey tones characteristic of the finest examples, measuring 5¾ inches high.

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