BIG GOGOTTE of natural form, dating from the Oligocene (about 30 million years ago), the multiple layers of concretions and folds creating a dynamic and complex example, on base. HEIGHT 66 CM (26 IN.) - WIDTH. 115 CM (45 ¼ IN.) - PROF. 20 CM ( 7 7/8 IN.) - - NOTE Gogottes are beautiful and seductive mineral formations. Once thought to be composed of chalk, they are in fact the rare and entirely natural result of the bonding of calcium carbonate with extremely fine quartz grains. Each sculptural layer is a unique composition of the mineral-rich waters of Fontainebleau, northern France, with cloud-like shapes and tangible representations of dreamlike images. The mineralization process takes place over approximately 30 million years, each formation being a marvel of unique form. A typical example of the blending of nature and art, the gogottes can be appreciated as sandstone variants of the Gongshi (scholar's rocks) tradition. These sandstone concretions enjoy international popularity and a centuries-old reputation. As early as the end of the 17th century, for example, gogottes were praised for their aesthetics by the highest echelons of the French nobility. Louis XIV was so enamored of these formations that he ordered extensive excavations around Fontainebleau to decorate the gardens of his palace. The gogottes still adorn L'Encelade, Les Trois Fontaines and the Salle de Bal at Versailles, and continue to enchant and delight visitors as they have for over 300 years. It is perhaps not surprising that they have served as an inspiration to artists well into the 20th century. Dynamic snapshots of elemental metamorphosis, they were particularly well received by Impressionist and Surrealist sculptors. In particular, Henry Moore's recumbents and the white marble compositions of Jean Arp (S'accroupissant, 1960-1962) and Louise Bourgeois (Cumul I, 1969) evoke the striking and unpredictable formations of the gogottes. - Gogottes are beautiful and beguiling mineral formations. Once thought to have been composed of chalk, they are actually the rare and entirely natural result of calcium carbonate binding with extremely fine quartz grains. Each sculptural layer is a unique composition from the mineral-rich waters of Fontainebleau, northern France, with the shapes evoking clouds and tangible representations of dreamlike imagery. The mineralization process takes place over the course of approximately 30 million years, with every formation a uniquely shaped wonder. As a prime example of the blend between nature and art, gogottes can be appreciated as sandstone variants of the Gongshi (scholar's rocks) tradition. These sandstone concretions boast an international popularity and an acclaimed reputation spanning centuries. As early as the late seventeenth century for example, gogottes were lauded for their aesthetic by the highest echelons of French nobility. Louis XIV "the Sun King" of France (r. 1643-1715) was so enamored by these formations that he ordered extensive excavations around Fontainebleau, in order to decorate his palace gardens. Gogottes still adorn L'Encelade, Les Trois Fontaines, and La Salle de Bal at Versailles, and continue to enchant and delight visitors as they have for over 300 years. It is perhaps unsurprising that gogottes served as inspiration for artists well into the 20th century. As dynamic snapshots of elemental metamorphosis, they were particularly well received by impressionist and surrealist sculptors. In particular, the recumbent figures by Henry Moore, and white marble compositions by Jean Arp (S'accroupissant, 1960-1962) and Louise Bourgeois (Cumul I, 1969) all evoke the arresting and unpredictable formations of gogottes.