Large Mid Century Polished Solid Malachite Egg, Congo, C.1960

A substantial polished malachite egg of exceptional decorative quality, hand-worked from a single nodule of Congolese malachite and brought to a high mirror finish. The patterning across this piece is unusually varied and vivid: one face displays tightly concentric bullseye formations in mid-green and pale celadon, while the reverse unfolds into broad cascading ribbon banding and flowing wave formations — the full range of malachite's natural vocabulary compressed into a single object. The depth of colour is excellent throughout, with strong contrast between the dark forest-green grounds and bright pale bands. A naturally occurring void to the upper crown — where the original nodule's growth centre was more friable is left open rather than filled, exposing raw crystal faces and a flash of blue-green chrysocolla typical of DRC Katanga-province material. Far from a flaw, this geological window adds authenticity and tactile interest, and is characteristic of unmanipulated natural specimens. The overall form is satisfyingly weighty and well-resolved.

DETAILS

Period: Mid 20th century, circa 1960
Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga province
Material: Solid natural malachite, hand-polished
Dimensions: D 5 cm × H 7 cm
Condition: Good. High-gloss polish intact across all polished surfaces. Natural open void to upper crown with exposed raw crystal and minor chrysocolla inclusion, a geological feature of the original nodule, not damage. No cracks, chips, or repairs to polished surfaces.