Lot 1339A: Carved Watermelon Tourmaline Fish with Native Copper

By Gerd Dreher
Idar-Oberstein, Germany
Designed in the form of a tropical fish and carved from a huge, thick cross-section slice of Madagascar watermelon tourmaline, weighing approximately 3550 carats and measuring 7 x 5 ¾ x 1in., this piece is a virtuoso masterpiece. The tourmaline still retains its natural crystal edges, always a sign of a master carver at work. At the top of the fin is a line of green from the outer rind of the crystal graduating to blue, purple, pink and deep reddish rubellite at the center. The eyes are set with two large bright circular green tourmaline cabochons, rimmed in 18K yellow gold, while the fins are rendered in 18K yellow gold having a matte finish. To complete the tropical saltwater scene an arborescent Michigan copper has been utilized to suggest a large branch of coral, monogram signature GD.
Height 11in