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Blue John Closed Urn
About the Item
This beautiful ornamental urn is carved of rare Blue John Derbyshire spar, taken from the now-extinct Blue John Cavern in Derbyshire, England. Crafted in a classically-inspired shape, this closed urn evokes the elegance of the Georgian period. Since the Roman era, Blue John was used to create fine decorative wares. This intriguing stone demands a great deal of skill in its handling and was the material most favored by silversmith Matthew Boulton, especially for the creation of his stoneware vases. A soft and brittle stone, it responds very quickly to heat, and must be carefully dried in order to retain its original color. This urn is wonderful example of Blue John artistry,
circa 1810
Measures: 11 5/8" high
Discovered by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, Blue John stone is found only among the caverns of Treak Cliff Hill near Castleton in Derbyshire, England. Celebrated for its unique bands of blues, purples, and violets, Blue John was in great demand during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The colorful and decorative stone was even worked into columns in some of the finest houses in Great Britain, most notably Chatsworth, home of the Duchess of Devonshire. The name ‘Blue John’ is thought to originate from the French term bleu et jaune, meaning blue and yellow. The largest veins of Blue John had disappeared by the early 19th century and today only two working Blue John Stone mines remain, producing only a miniscule amount of the precious stone. The small amount that remains is buried in the veins of limestone which reside deep within Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern. Only 0.25 tons of the stone is extracted annually, and is sparingly reserved for small objects and jewelry.
- Dimensions:Height: 11.63 in (29.55 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Georgian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1810
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
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1stDibs seller since 2010
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New Orleans, LA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
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