English calcites of this style date from the early to late 1800s, and are said to have been predominantly found in the middle of that time, with notable specimens in all of the world's major museums. These remained for over a century the "king" of all gemmy calcites until larger crystals from China surpassed them in size, if not in total quality or identical form. This particular style is one of the most famous of the old British collectible calcites, and it is, unusually, a finely balanced miniature. It retains the collection number 79 on the bottom, which is a reference to the (former) personal UK collection of former UK dealer Ian Bruce, of which Erika Pohl had bought in its entirety in the early 2000s when circumstances let it to be sold. She added it to her own and surely has the most complete UK collection remaining in private hands, in total. So it is a gorgeous, pristine miniature, unusual for the location, and with good provenance to two important English collections. While experienced collectors who have been around longer may have larger examples (and at higher prices); this is certainly among the finest miniatures of this style we have seen. As a bonus, I actually LOVE the other side, showing only the gem fingers sticking up over the matrix! BOTH sides are phenomenal - and pristine! Dr. Erika Pohl-Ströher- IB 79