Written by Tom | 13 September 2023
From the deep sea to deep space, these special collectables speak to collectors enraptured by the unknown.
Once upon a time, the farthest reaches of the earth and galaxy seemed just that – faraway. But the rise of explorers, adventurers and the advancement of technology has meant some of these other worlds are now within reach. From meteorites to ancient relics, there’s a world of objects that represent the wonder and obscurity of our universe. We’ve put together a list of the best we’ve seen on Catawiki.
The oldest lava rock in the solar system
Here’s one for the space lovers and the geologists: this spotted, emerald-hued rock is believed to be the oldest lava rock in our solar system. Found in May 2020 near Bir Ben Takoul in southern Algeria, within the Erg Chech sand sea, scientists have since classed this to be 4,565 billion years old. That makes it slightly older than any other meteorites and the oldest magmatic rock analysed to date. It’s an unusual looking piece but one that could make for an excellent centrepiece for anyone trying to add some earthy elements to their home and a good conversation starter.
An extinct flying reptile
One of the rarest and most impressive objects to sell on Catawiki was this pterosaur from the Jurassic period over 145 million years ago. An extinct type of flying reptile, they’re the earliest known form of vertebrates that could take flight. They resemble something akin to a pelican and seagull crossed with a lizard, and often go by the name pterodactyl in popular culture. This particular specimen was auctioned off back in 1996 at Phillips in New York City, but re-emerged in 2022 when it was released to the world by its original collector. It was valued at anywhere from €75,000-€95,000 – partly because of the reptile’s fragile bones which makes finding one in this condition a once-in-a-lifetime discovery.
If you’re someone who loves ocean exploration or simply The Little Mermaid, then this deep sea urchin is a beautiful relic of a submerged world. A rare specimen in bright coral hues, it was caught in a net at a depth of 350m, just off Balicasag Island in the Philippines. It’s sized at about 60 mm wide and is an example of the kaleidoscopic life that exists even in the deepest, darkest of places. A rare collectable, let it take pride of place in your home – if decorating with fossils is your thing.
A deep sea urchin
A forgotten military drone
For something from the sky, this military target drone will appeal to anyone with a penchant for military history and air travel. Made during the1950s in the United States, the drone is believed to have been used by the Belgian army and came equipped with a long tail that served as target practice for anti-aircraft devices. For all its military prowess though, the drone is almost toyish in its aesthetic – a veneered wooden propeller and a bright red main body make it a cute accessory, albeit a little more volatile than your average collectable. Manufactured by the Radioplane Company, it sold for €2,600 and remains one of the more unusual symbols of the sky to have turned up in auction.
A forgotten military drone
The bust of a roman emperor
The phrase a piece of history is often overused but in this case the description is warranted. In 2023, an ancient marble head of the Roman Emperor Trajan landed in auction. Trajan is still considered one of the greatest rulers as the Romans go; he ruled for almost two decades between 98 AD to 117 AD and led his people through a period of prosperity. He was held in such high regard that after his death, the phrase "be luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan” was coined. Unfortunately he was not great enough to escape death but his legacy lives on today in this sculpture; a 30 cm high head finely carved of Greek Marble from the island of Thasos.
The bust of a roman emperor
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