Included in this lot is a large Polished Malachite Vide Poche Bowl. Provenance: the Owen D. Mort, Jr. Collection. Owen David Mort was an American engineer who amassed an impressive collection throughout his worldwide travels. His collection has included art, artifacts and other historical items from which he has donated to museums at the University of Utah and Snite Museum of Art, the University of Notre Dame, including African and Afghan artifacts. Malachite is an ancient gemstone derived from the Greek word Mallache, which means 'green'. It gets its name because of its color that resembles a green spot on peacock feathers. This unique gemstone shares its traits with Turquoise and Tourmaline and is associated with fertility, death, afterlife, and resurrection. This natural stone has a natural concave bowl that displays concentric whorls unique to malachite. A gemstone possessing an opaque green colour, malachite has a richness and vibrancy that is unmatched, malachite is the instantly recognisable, beautiful, deep rich-green gemstone that adorns so many prize antiques. The technique of making a piece out of bronze or marble and then coating in with slices of malachite is known as 'Russian Mosaic.' Many of the oldest sources of malachite have since been depleted, and today, while rare, it is most commonly found in Africa, Australia, and the United States, in the state of Arizona particularly. Triangular shape, this piece is very nice, the different hues, bands and waves melded together to form a stone that is both unique and spectacularly beautiful. Measures 7.25" x 9.25" x 3.5"H approximately. The total weight is 14lb 2oz.*