Lot of 10 animals carved out of solid malachite, a green-colored, highly prized semi-precious stone that was used as a mineral pigment in green paints from antiquity until about 1800. It is also used for decorative purposes, such as in The Malachite Room in the Hermitage, which features a large malachite vase. "The Tazza," one of the largest pieces of malachite in North America and a gift from Tsar Nicholas II, stands as the focal point in the Linda Hall Library. Archeological evidence indicates that the mineral has been mined and smelted at Timna Valley in Israel for over 3,000 years. The carvings measure between 2" and 3.25" long. Animals include - two ankylosaur dinosaurs, a stegosaurus dinosaur, two rhinoceros, a crow, a duck, a fish, a sea turtle and a frog. All of these carvings exhibit alternating bands that classic malachite is known for and all are Exc. Consignor obtained these fine carvings from Hans Egger (a well-known German dealer) in 1980.